About the Author: SR Staff Report

Family, friends, and the ski community will have the opportunity to pay their final respects to Matteo Franzoso at the Hogar de Cristo Funeral Agency in Independencia. The wake will be open from Wednesday, September 17, through Friday, September 19, each day from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Italian skier Matteo Franzoso has died in Santiago after failing to survive an induced coma following severe head injuries from a training crash at La Parva, according to FISI.org. The 25-year-old, who would have turned 26 this week, struck safety fencing after a jump and never recovered. His death is another tragedy to strike the Italian team in less than a year.

FIS and Ski Austria have ended a years-long dispute over international broadcast rights, finalizing a deal that centralizes coverage of Austrian World Cup races starting in 2027. The agreement—reached after legal proceedings in Austria were postponed earlier this year, according to skinews.ch—ensures flagship events like Sölden, Kitzbühel, and Schladming will be showcased worldwide. For U.S. fans, it marks progress toward a long-awaited one-stop streaming solution, replacing today’s fragmented and inconsistent coverage.

Marcel Hirscher is back on snow. The eight-time overall World Cup champion made his first turns in the Zoetermeer indoor ski hall, 277 days after tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee. The comeback marks the latest step for the 67-time World Cup winner, who returned to racing under the Dutch flag last season before injury cut his campaign short.

2025 Super-G World Champion Stephanie Venier has retired from ski racing after 11 World Cup wins and is starting a new chapter. The 31-year-old Austrian announced she is expecting her first child with fiancé Christian Walder, with their wedding planned for September.

to celebrate the life of legendary coach Erich Sailer. The event runs from 2–6 p.m., with the service beginning at 3 p.m., and will be held outdoors to welcome all who were inspired by him. Guests are asked to RSVP online and can also share photos, videos, and memories. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person.

Sarrazin’s crash on the Stelvio, the slope set to host the men’s Olympic downhill this February, has renewed concerns about safety. The fall last December highlighted just how unforgiving Bormio can be in midwinter.

Organizers point out that conditions in February — with more direct sun and the opportunity to prepare the piste from top to bottom in a more uniform manner — should make the Olympic surface safer. Still, the questions raised by his accident continue to echo as the Games approach.

For Sarrazin, the focus is no longer on what was lost but on what lies ahead. His determination is clear: recover fully, return in 2026–27, and chase the dream of competing at the 2030 Olympics in front of a home crowd.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard and FIS have announced key alpine ski racing rule changes for 2025–26. While not all updates apply to every athlete, they include changes to FIS start eligibility, competition formats, equipment rules, and official requirements. U18 athletes will no longer face a FIS start maximum, live timing will be restricted at U14 and younger races, and FIS will update point calculations and enforce cut-resistant gear requirements. Learn the details.

The University of Nevada ski team, entering its fourth season back in NCAA competition, has hired alumnus and former U.S. ski cross racer Nico Monforte as assistant alpine coach. A North Tahoe native and Wolf Pack standout, Monforte brings international racing experience, coaching expertise, and a deep connection to the program as head coach Cameron Smith works to rebuild Nevada into a championship contender.

Lindsey Vonn has enlisted fellow Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal as her coach and equipment strategist for her 2026 Olympic comeback. The longtime friends and Head Ski athletes are joining forces to chase one more shot at Olympic glory in Cortina.

German Biathlon ski champion Laura Dahlmeier died in a climbing accident on Laila Peak in Pakistan at age 31. Struck by rockfall at 5,700 meters, she died instantly, according to her representatives. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and lifelong mountaineer, Dahlmeier leaves behind a legacy of courage, humility, and excellence.

Federica Brignone underwent a successful follow-up knee surgery in Milan to improve joint mobility and accelerate her recovery. According to the Italian federation (FISI), she will resume rehabilitation immediately at JMedical in Turin as she continues her push toward a return for the 2026 Olympic season.

Federica Brignone continues her recovery after a leg fracture ended her record-setting World Cup season, and while her timeline for returning to training remains uncertain, her brother and coach Davide Brignone says the 2026 Cortina Olympics are still possible.

Olympic silver medalist and coach Joël Chenal has been suspended by the French skiing federation following abuse allegations from multiple women who say he harassed them as minors between 2005 and 2021, according to Le Monde.

Six months after a major knee injury, Marcel Hirscher has been medically cleared to return and plans to use his remaining 17 World Cup wild card starts to launch his comeback. With training ramping up, the eight-time overall champion is focused on racing again—sooner rather than later.

FIS has approved the 2025–26 Alpine World Cup calendar, setting the stage for a high-stakes Olympic season with 75 races across 30 resorts. The schedule includes key qualification events, a new men’s super-G in Livigno, and a men’s downhill in Crans Montana serving as a test event for the 2027 World Championships.

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team announced key staffing changes for the 2025–26 season, including new hires and role shifts across the men’s and women’s alpine programs. With Olympic preparations underway, the team added international experience and promoted from within to build on a successful 2024–25 campaign.

Explore the draft 2025–26 ski racing calendar, including NorAm, NCAA, U.S. Championships, U18 Nationals, and Junior Worlds, with clear conflict checks to support season planning.