Italian junior champion skier Matilde Lorenzi dies after high-speed crash while training in the Alps

Junior giant slalom champ Matilde Lorenzi was rushed to hospital after she was seriously injured in the crash on the Grawand G1 Piste at Val Senales in Alto Adige, northern Italy.

Local media reports say she had been working on her finishing times on the mountain's giant slalom course on October 28 when she lost control. As her skis lost contact with the slope, she slammed face-first into the heavily iced piste, said witnesses.

Ski officials say she was helicoptered to hospital in nearby Bolanzo but never recovered from her injuries and died in intensive care in the early hours of 29th October.

Matilde, who would have turned 20 on November 15, was a rising star in Italy's international squad and was also part of the Italian army's sports team. She was the Italian junior champion last season in the overall standings and the super-G event. She also finished 11th in the super-G in St Moritz in the FIS Europa Cup in December last year.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation, or FISI, confirmed: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Matilde Lorenzi, as announced by the Italian Ministry of Defence. 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, honouring her memory today and always."

Story: NewsX