Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi, 19, has tragically passed away following a crash during a training session in northern Italy, the country’s Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday.
Described as a “promising Italian skier,” Lorenzi fell while skiing on the Grawand G1 slope in Val Senales, a valley in Italy’s South Tyrol province, according to a statement from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).
“The International Ski and Snowboard Federation extends its deepest condolences following the tragic loss of Matilde Lorenzi,” the FIS stated. “FISI is in mourning, standing by her family, friends, and all those who loved Matilde, honoring her memory today and always.”
Tributes poured in from former Olympic skiers, including Italy’s Luca De Aliprandini, Spain’s Juan del Campo, and Switzerland’s Michelle Gisin, who shared their condolences on FIS’s Instagram post.
“So much love to her family, friends, and teammates,” wrote U.S. Olympian Mikaela Shiffrin.
“This is a tragic loss,” commented retired U.S. Olympian Lindsey Vonn, who also shared a tribute on her Instagram story. “Sending my thoughts to her family.”
Lorenzi, a member of the Italian army’s sports division, was last season’s Italian junior champion, according to Olympics.com. She achieved sixth place in the downhill event at last year’s Junior World Alpine Ski Championships and eighth in the super-G.
Her top performance on the FIS Europa Cup circuit was an 11th-place finish in a super-G event in December, the site reported.