The tragic news has left many heartbroken.
One person expressed, “How sad. Such a dreadful way to end their lives, a real tragedy… My heartfelt condolences to their grieving families and friends.”
Another shared, “That’s awful… Praying for their families!”
A third wrote, “May you both rest in eternal peace. This is so heartbreaking and tragic! Condolences to their family and loved ones.”
A fourth commented, “What a horrible way to pass away. So sorry for everyone affected.”
Pession was a member of Italy’s World Cup speed skiing team, with his best performance coming in 2021 when he finished 15th in the final World Cup standings. At the 2022 World Championships, he placed 22nd.
His girlfriend was a cross-country ski instructor and an elementary school teacher at Saint-Marcel School, according to The Mirror.
The Italian Winter Sports Federation has confirmed that Pession and Arlian died in a mountain accident, falling nearly 2,300 feet.
The exact cause of the accident remains unknown.
Italian outlet RAI reports: “It took hours of aerial searches to locate them, as there were no visible traces on the rock to indicate where they had fallen. It’s possible that while they were navigating the ridge dividing the north and east faces, they slipped on the snow, or the ground gave way.”
The search team eventually found their bodies after a signal from one of their cell phones was detected.
“They were almost at the summit, just a step away, when suddenly the mountain they loved betrayed them. When they were found, they were still tethered together, like in a final embrace,” RAI reported.
This update was shared in a video on X (formerly Twitter), and translated by People.
In a statement, the Italian Winter Sports Federation paid tribute to Pession’s accomplishments.
It read (via NBC): “A terrible tragedy has struck the world of winter sports, particularly speed skiing.”
“President Flavio Roda and the entire Federation extend their deepest condolences to the Pession family for this tragic loss.”
