Tragic Death of Italian Skier Matteo Franzoso

Matteo Franzoso, an Italian skier, tragically lost his life just days before his 26th birthday following a serious accident during training in Chile. This incident occurred over the weekend, and officials confirmed his injuries earlier this week.

The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) announced that Franzoso, aged 25, sustained fatal injuries on Saturday while attempting a small jump at La Palba, located approximately 30 miles from Santiago. Reports indicate that he collided with a fence and was quickly taken to the hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma in the intensive care unit.

FISI later revealed that he passed away due to head injuries and cerebral edema. It’s heartbreaking—his birthday was coming up on Tuesday.

FISI President Flavio Roda expressed the organization’s sorrow in a statement, calling it a tragedy for both the skier’s family and the sport itself. He recalled the emotional memories of losing another young athlete, Matilde Lorenzi, just a year earlier.

Lorenzi, who was only 19, died in an accident during a training session at Lake Tahoe in October 2024. Roda emphasized the need for increased safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future, urging that athletes and coaches would have the federation’s support during this difficult time.

Franzoso was known for significant achievements in skiing, having won a Super G Race in the European Cup Circuit in 2021. He also showcased his talent by finishing fourth in the downhill at the 2020 World Junior Championship. His best result in the World Cup came with a 28th place finish in Super G at Cortina d’Ampezzo in January 2023. He had been training with several notable Italian skiers leading up to the Milan Cortina Olympics scheduled for next February.