Adrien Théaux is furious. © AFP / MALCOLM CARMICHAEL

The anger of a ski star: “How many more?”

The tragic death of Matteo Franzoso has caused immense sadness in the skiing world – and anger among some of the scene’s big names.

September 17, 2025

From: det

It should have been a normal training session in Chile, but it ended in a massive tragedy. Matteo Franzoso crashed during a training ride on Saturday and subsequently crashed into a wooden fence. Two days later, the 25-year-old died in a hospital in Santiago de Chile. his severe head injuries.

The far too early death of the young Italian has triggered immense grief in the skiing world. At the same time, a topic that has so often caused a stir in the past has come to the fore: safety in skiing. Adrien Théaux was the loudest voice. The Frenchman, at 40 years old one of the most experienced skiers in the World Cup, expressed his anger on Instagram.

Matteo Franzoso has died in an accident. © ANSA / Facebook FISI - Federazione Ital

Théaux posted three photos, namely those of David Poisson, Matilde Lorenzi, and Matteo Franzoso, who died in the accident. "How many more tragic losses do we have to witness before a debate is finally held about safety – especially during training?" wrote the multiple World Cup winner.

The demand: Everyone at the table

"Out of respect for those who paid with their lives, it is high time that all parties come together to find solutions! The international federation, national federations, coaches, but also those directly affected: the athletes. It is our duty to face reality and develop concrete solutions – not subtleties that miss the core problem. It is time to move forward to preserve the future of our discipline, and of future athletes and coaches!", Théaux stated clearly.

“I have to apologize to you.” Matteo Marsaglia

Matteo Marsaglia, who was part of the Italian national team alongside Franzoso before retiring in 2023, echoes the same sentiment. In an emotional Instagram post, the 209-time World Cup starter mourns the deceased – and addresses the issue of safety. "I have to apologize to you, to you and to all the younger guys," Marsaglia said.

Matteo Marsaglia was a member of Italy's ski team for years. © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / SEAN M. HAFFEY

"We must finally stop writing fine words and then simply turning away. The blame lies with us – with us athletes and former athletes with experience and a high level – and with this old mentality that we have in our heads: 'the show must go on.' NO, it cannot be like this. We should have stopped many years ago. Now is the time to do it, and we must all do it together – from the first to the last, all over the world," Marsaglia appealed.

"We pause and ask for help. We ask our federations and the FIS for help, and together with our coaches, we sit down – as my friend Adrien Théaux says – and offer our support to find ways to set safety standards as high as possible," said Marsaglia, who emphasized: "We must do this immediately. Our sport, like any other, is evolving rapidly – ​​and this development will never be stopped. Safety standards must keep pace. Only then can we still accept the word "destiny."