FIS statement and open letter on athlete safety following the passing of Matteo Franzoso

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Italian alpine skier Matteo Franzoso following a fall during training in Chile. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates, and the entire Italian ski community as they mourn this devastating loss.

Moments like this bring into sharp focus the profound risks that are an inseparable part of our sport. They also remind us of the shared responsibility we all carry – athletes, coaches, organizers, associations, and governing bodies alike – to do everything within our means to reduce those risks.

One thing is clear: the pursuit of performance must never eclipse the priority of safety. It is not possible to eliminate the inherent dangers of alpine skiing, but – by listening, by raising awareness, and by fostering dialogue that leads to collective action we can mitigate the risks. 

However, together with National Ski Associations, Local Organizing Committees, coaches, partners, and above all, the athletes themselves, we must identify where risks are greatest, addressing systemic challenges, and supporting a culture in which safety is integral to every decision. Safe training conditions and safeguarding competitions requires not only awareness but also a firm and collective commitment across the entire ski family. Only by acting together can we create the conditions where safety is not compromised.

Through the Athletes Health Unit (AHU), FIS is reinforcing a scientific and systematic approach to athlete wellbeing, one that will continue to grow in depth and scope in close cooperation with our partners. Here we are pursuing the state of the art in innovation with airbags and electronic release bindings as well as helmet technology to withstand multiple impacts.

In the coming weeks, FIS will further intensify dialogue with its stakeholders, always with a single guiding principle: the wellbeing and safety of athletes must come first.