The 19-year-old was part of the Italian army group and a member of the third national team.

According to preliminary reports, she was training on the Gravard G1 slope when she fell and violently hit her face on the icy ground.

Lorenzi, a native of Villarbasse near Turin, won the Italian title in Alpine skiing last year and ranked eighth at the 2023 Alpine world junior championships in Chatel, France, among other achievements.

There was a huge outpouring of grief and condolences after Lorenzi’s death.

“The terrible news of the premature death of Corporal Matilde Lorenzi … truly saddens me,” said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“I join in the grief of her family, colleagues and the entire Army Sports Centre.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani joined the condolences.

“I am saddened by the passing of Matilde Lorenzi, a promising Italian skier,” he said.

“A crystalline talent broken by fate. I join her family, friends and teammates of the Army sports group in mourning. Rest in peace, young champion.”

“A piece of news we never wanted to read. A prayer for Matilde and a big hug to her family,” Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini.

“There are no adequate words in the face of this tragedy,” said Italian Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malagò.

“[We have] the intent of keeping her memory alive along with the example she set with her talent and her passion for skiing”.

Italian skiing star Sofia Goggia, the former Olympic downhill champ and four-time World Cup downhill title winner, said she sent a prayer for Lorenzi and her family.

ANSA