Italian speed skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend, Elisa Arlian, tragically lost their lives in a mountain accident in northwest Italy, according to the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI). The federation expressed deep sorrow for the loss, stating that it was a terrible tragedy that struck the world of winter sports, especially speed skiing.
Pession, a 28-year-old World Cup team member, had just finished 15th in the 2021 World Cup standings for speed skiing as per the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) when he fell 700 meters from the summit of Mount Zerbion above the resort village of Champoluc in the Aosta Valley region. His girlfriend also lost her life in the same incident. President Flavio Roda and the entire Federation extended their condolences to the Pession family for this tragic misfortune.
A skiing instructor at the Antagnod Ski School in northern Italy, Pession’s funeral took place on Tuesday along with Arlian’s. Rescuers found their bodies still tied together after an extensive search following concerned family members’ call to the rescue center. Despite no visible signs on the rocks indicating their fall location, rescuers took hours to retrieve their bodies.
Pession had been among the top 25 skiers at the 2022 World Championships in Vars. His death is a terrible tragedy that has shocked and saddened many people around the world who knew him as a talented athlete and kind-hearted person.
