In a devastating accident, the skiing world mourns the loss of Jean Daniel Pession, a talented 28-year-old World Cup skier, and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian. The couple met a horrific fate when they fell over 2,300 feet off a mountain in Italy.

The news of this tragic incident has struck the winter sports community, particularly speed skiing, with deep sadness. The Italian Winter Sports Federation issued a statement expressing their condolences, sharing, “A terrible tragedy has occurred in the world of winter sports.” As Pession, who hailed from the Aosta Valley, had a remarkable year in 2021, finishing fifteenth in the final World Cup rankings and twenty-second at the 2022 World Championships in Vars, his loss leaves a profound void.

The President of the Federation, Flavio Roda, along with the entire organization, extends their heartfelt sympathies to the grieving Pession family. The loss of such a promising and talented athlete, along with his beloved partner, is truly a heartbreaking blow.

The ill-fated accident occurred while Pession and Arlian, aged 28 and 27 respectively, were on a romantic hike on Mount Zerbion in the picturesque Alps. Concern arose when they failed to return home, prompting a frantic search and rescue mission involving three helicopters, mountain rescue teams, police, and firefighters. Sadly, the couple was discovered lifeless, still holding hands, following their plummet.

Arlian, a remarkable individual known for her work teaching children cross-country skiing and first-grade lessons, leaves behind a profound legacy. She touched the lives of many, and tributes have flooded their social media posts. One mourner expressed, “What a tragedy… Rest in peace, guys.” Another added with disbelief, “This is unbelievable, I can’t believe it. Rest in peace.”

The loss of Jean Daniel Pession and Elisa Arlian is an irreplaceable one. Their lives were filled with promise, adventure, and love. As the skiing community comes to terms with this devastating loss, their memories will forever be cherished. May they rest in eternal peace.