Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend, Elisa Arlian. Photo: Jean Daniel Pession // Instagram
World Cup Skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian tragically died this week. As the Mirror reports, Pession, 28, a member of the Italian national speed skiing team, and Arlian, 26, a ski instructor and school teacher, were on a skiing trip to the Italian Alps when they fell 2,200 feet down a mountain.
The accident happened on June 1 on Mount Zerbion, a popular skiing destination in the Aosta valley. When the couple failed to return from a hike, their families contacted authorities, who sent three helicopters after them. Hours later, their bodies were found buried together in the snow, still embracing one another.
While it is currently unknown what caused the accident, a doctor confirmed the couple had “obvious fall injuries.”
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“This is a terrible tragedy for the world of winter sports, especially speed skiing,” said President of the Italian Winter Sports Federation Flavio Roda. “On behalf of the entire Federation, I extend our deepest condolences to the Pession family during this unimaginable time of grief.”
Funerals for Pession and Arlian are expected to be held in their home villages Tuesday morning.