Probe Opens Into Death of Rising Italian Ski Star Matilde Lorenzi

A formal criminal investigation for manslaughter has been opened in Italy, naming two suspects in connection with the tragic death of 19-year-old alpine skier Matilde Lorenzi, who died following a training accident nearly a year ago.

The Bolzano Prosecutor’s Office has placed a slope safety chief, Lukas Tumler, and one of Lorenzi’s coaches, Angelo Weiss, under investigation. The inquiry seeks to determine if professional negligence or safety procedural lapses contributed to the fatal incident, which occurred on the Grawand G1 slope at the Schnalstaler Glacier in South Tyrol in October 2024.

Lorenzi, a promising junior national team member and Italian Army corporal who had recently claimed the national Super-G title, suffered a catastrophic fall during a high-speed training run. She was airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano but succumbed to her injuries the following day.

While the incident was initially categorized as a tragic accident, the case was reopened following persistent advocacy by the Lorenzi family's legal team and the submission of new expert forensic analysis.

Independent forensic reports commissioned by the family suggested that Lorenzi’s injuries, particularly severe impact to the thorax leading to cardiac arrest, were inconsistent with a simple forward fall. Furthermore, the analysis by technical specialist Ernesto Rigoni pointed to a potential factor in the crash: a raised track edge, possibly created by a snow-groomer, that may have caused her fatal loss of control. Investigators are now focused on establishing whether proper obstacle mitigation measures, such as protective netting or track modifications, were sufficiently implemented.

The investigation has reignited a critical debate regarding safety standards and regulatory oversight within professional ski training environments in Italy. The Lorenzi family has also established the Matilde Lorenzi Foundation, dedicated to promoting research and procedural reforms aimed at preventing similar tragedies in winter sports.

The 19-year-old was part of the Italian army group and a member of the third national team. Matilde Lorenzi came from Sestriere and was considered a great young talent. In the spring, the speed specialist won 2 Italian championship titles, including the one in the Super-G (ahead of Laura Pirovano and Nicol Delago). Lorenzi has also competed in the European Cup. Her best result was 11th place in St. Moritz (2023). In February, she finished 17th in the European Cup Super-G in Sarntal. Lorenzi was a member of the army sports group and in the Azzurre national team in the C squad. At the last Junior World Championships, she finished 6th (downhill), 8th (super-G) and 4th (team combination).

Born in Turin and raised in hometown Valgioie, Matilde Lorenzi began skiing at a young age alongside her sister, Lucrezia, also an international alpine skier. To support their training, the Lorenzi family relocated to Sestriere, where Matilde and Lucrezia honed their skills with the Sci Club Sestriere before joining the Centro Sportivo Esercito (the sports club of the Italian Army).

A statement from FIS at the time confirmed the tragic news. It read: "The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) extends its deepest condolences following the tragic loss of Matilde Lorenzi.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Matilde Lorenzi, as announced by the Italian Ministry of Defense, who conveyed heartfelt condolences for the 19-year-old athlete of the Italian Army.

"FIS joins FISI President Flavio Roda and the entire Italian winter sports community in mourning, including coaches, athletes, teammates, the federal council, and all FISI staff.

"Matilde was tragically lost following a fall during a training session on the Grawand G1 slope in Val Senales. FISI is in mourning, standing by her family, friends, and everyone who cherished Matilde, honoring her memory today and always."

In the 2023–24 season, Lorenzi achieved significant milestones, including winning the Italian national titles in both the élite and junior categories in super-G at Sarntal. She also secured a sixth-place finish in downhill and eighth in super-G at the Junior World Championships in Châtel, Haute-Savoie. Her best race result in the Europa Cup was an eleventh-place finish in super-G at St. Moritz in December 2023

The announcement marks a decisive escalation in the legal handling of the case, shifting the focus from accidental tragedy to potential accountability for safety failures.