World Cup Skier and Girlfriend Fall From Italian Mountain
Tragedy struck the world of skiing as a World Cup athlete and his girlfriend perished in a fall from a mountain peak in Italy.
Couple Identified as Italian Skier Jean Daniel Pession and Elisa Arlian
According to local reports, 28-year-old Jean Daniel Pession, a member of the Italian national speed skiing team, and his girlfriend, 26-year-old Elisa Arlian, fell approximately 2,300 feet from Mount Zerbion. Arlian was a ski instructor and school teacher.
World Cup skier and his girlfriend fall to their deaths on mountain
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Authorities Locate Couple After Search Triggered by Missed Return
The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) confirmed the deaths in a press release, describing the incident as a "tragic mountain accident."
The couple reportedly did not return from their climb, prompting their family to contact emergency services.
Helicopters were immediately deployed to begin the search. Rescue teams, including alpine rescue, police, and firefighters, were mobilized according to Rai, an Italian media outlet.
Search Led by Cellphone Signal Ends in Discovery
The search teams were able to locate the couple by tracking their cellphone signals. They were found tragically still tied together, a common safety precaution used by mountain climbers.
Pession: A Rising Star in Speed Skiing
Pession was a rising star in the speed skiing world.
The FISI press release highlighted his achievements, including a 15th-place finish in the final World Cup rankings for 2021 and a 22nd-place finish at the 2022 World Championships.
He was also reported to be an aspiring mountain guide.
Tributes Pour in for the Lost Couple
The skiing community is in mourning. The FISI statement expressed their deepest condolences to Pession's family for this tragic loss.
Alberto Bertin, president of the Aosta Valley regional council, also offered his condolences in a statement.
He expressed his sorrow for the loss of "two young lives destroyed by an accident on a mountain, that mountain which was their passion."
Bertin offered his support to the families, friends, and the entire sporting community during this difficult time.
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