FIS expresses deepest condolences for the loss of Matteo Franzoso

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) extends its deepest condolences following the tragic loss of Matteo Franzoso.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Matteo Franzoso, who lost his life in Santiago, Chile, following a fall during training on the La Parva slope. The 25-year-old Italian skier did not survive the consequences of the head trauma sustained in the accident. FIS joins FISI President Flavio Roda and the entire Italian winter sports community in mourning, including coaches, athletes, teammates, the federal council, and all FISI staff.

Franzoso, who would have turned 26 on September 16, lost control on the first small jump of the training course, being thrown forward into the safety nets. He passed through two rows of nets and struck a wooden fence located 6–7 meters off the course. He was immediately reached by helicopter rescue and, as a member of the Fiamme Gialle who grew up skiing in Sestriere, was admitted straight into intensive care and placed in an induced coma. However, as hours passed, his body could not withstand the damage caused by the trauma.

A cheerful, smiling, and kind young man, Franzoso had arrived in La Parva on September 6 for the snow training camp alongside fellow speed specialists Mattia Casse, Florian Schieder, Guglielmo Bosca, Christof Innerhofer, Benjamin Alliod, Nicolò Molteni, Marco Abbruzzese, and Giovanni Franzoni. Dominik Paris also joined the group.

At the junior level, Franzoso was fourth in downhill at the 2020 Junior World Championships in Narvik. He made his European Cup debut on December 13, 2017, earning his first and only victory in the circuit in the super-G at Zinal, Switzerland, on November 29, 2021. That same season, Franzoso debuted on the World Cup tour in the Val Gardena super-G on December 17. He collected 17 World Cup starts in total (11 super-G, 6 downhill), with his best result being 28th place in the super-G at Cortina d’Ampezzo on January 28, 2023. Also in 2023, he won the Italian national title in the alpine combined. His last World Cup appearance was in Kvitfjell, Norway, in March.

“This is a tragedy for his family and for our sport,” said FISI president Flavio Roda. “It is a drama that brings us back to the feelings of less than a year ago, when we lost Matilde Lorenzi. It is absolutely necessary to do everything possible so that such incidents are not repeated. In this sad and painful moment, I want to tell all athletes and coaches, in all sports, that the federation stands by their side and that they will find all the support they need. I ask for the utmost respect for Matteo’s family, whom we will support in every possible way.”

The federation president, the federal council, all athletes, coaches, and staff mourn the untimely passing of Matteo Franzoso and stand close to his family in these days of grief.

Release courtesy of FISI.