A professional skier died in the arms of his girlfriend after they fell from a mountainside during a romantic hike.
Jean Daniel Pession, a member of Italy's World Cup speed skiing team, and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian, both 27, had been climbing Mount Zerbion, a mountain of the Pennine Alps in Aosta Valley, Italy. When they did not come home, their families raised the alarm and three helicopters including mountain rescue, police, and firefighter teams were launched.
The pair’s lifeless bodies were found still embracing one another, as a doctor confirmed their deaths. They both suffered “obvious fall injuries” in the tragedy. It is believed they fell around 2,200ft but it is unknown what caused the accident.
Flavio Roda, President of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, said: “This is a terrible tragedy for the world of winter sports, especially speed skiing. On behalf of the entire federation, I extend our deepest condolences to the Pession family during this unimaginable time of grief.”
As a member of the World Cup team, throughout his career, Pession achieved his best results in 2021, finishing 15th in the final World Cup standings, while at the 2022 World Championships, he placed 22nd in Vars, in 2022.
Catholics across the world pray for Pope Benedict XVI as his body lies in stateHis girlfriend, Elisa, was a cross-country ski instructor and elementary school teacher at the Saint-Marcel school. The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) expressed condolences to the victims' families.
Their funerals are expected to be held in their home villages on Tuesday morning.