An Italian speed skiing athlete and his girlfriend died in an accident while mountaineering on Mount Zerbion, in Valle d’Aosta. The victims are Jean Daniel Pession, 29 years old from Antagnod, ski instructor and athlete of the speed skiing World Cup team and 27 year old Elisa Arlian, cross-country skiing instructor. The two engaged couples from Valle d’Aosta were working on the ridge that divides the North face from the East face, at an altitude of over 2,700 metres, when, for reasons yet to be ascertained, they fell 700 metres.
Searches with three helicopters
The two bodies were recovered in the afternoon by the Alpine Rescue along the North Face after the parents of the engaged couple had raised the alarm that the couple had not returned. Three helicopters participated in the search and at 6pm a Guardia di Finanza aircraft capable of detecting cell phone signals managed to locate the bodies. The doctor could only confirm his death and the bodies were taken to Champoluc.
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The condolences of the Federation
The Italian Winter Sports Federation expressed condolences for the “terrible tragedy” with president Flavio Roda. Pession had achieved the best results in his career in 2021, placing 15th in the final World Cup ranking, while at the World Championships he came 22nd in Vars in 2022.
