FISI Moves to Raise Safety Standards After Franzoso’s Death
ROME (AP) — The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) has approved urgent steps to strengthen safety in alpine skiing, responding to the recent death of Matteo Franzoso in a training crash in Chile.
President Flavio Roda and the Federal Council met on Thursday in a special session. The meeting began with a tribute and a minute of silence for Franzoso, who died Sunday from head injuries sustained at La Parva.
Two-Tiered Plan
The council adopted a two-tiered strategy. Internationally, FISI will ask the International Ski Federation (FIS) to build and fund a global network of training slopes. Each slope must include layered netting, on-site medical teams, and helicopter access. All national teams must train on these courses.
Domestically, Italy will follow the same standards. The federation will designate and upgrade slopes for every level, from World Cup athletes to ski clubs. FISI will cover the costs with support from the Ministry of Sport.
Wider Appeal
The push also includes calls to equipment and protective gear manufacturers to accelerate innovation aimed at reducing athlete risk.
Day of Mourning
FISI said all federal disciplines will pause on Tuesday, Sept. 23, in honor of Franzoso and his family during their final farewell.
“Safety must be guaranteed not only in competition but also in training,” the federation said.
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