Death

George Gillett helped establish Vail and Beaver Creek as major international ski racing venues, supporting the 1989 World Championships, the U.S. Ski Team and a legacy that continues today.

Hubert Immler helped shape generations of race boots and influenced champions across decades. Those fortunate enough to know him will remember something even greater: his warmth, friendship and deep love for his family.

Longtime alpine coach Scott Zahn died Aug. 19 after a battle with cancer. His knowledge, intensity and commitment to the sport influenced generations of athletes and coaches across North America.

Longtime ski industry leader and former World Cup technician Tim Brennwald died suddenly on August 13 at age 62. From his years with Marker on the World Cup circuit to his leadership at POWDR, Brennwald leaves a lasting legacy across ski racing and the mountain industry.

Colin Hilton, longtime president and CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation and a key figure in Utah’s winter sports community, has died at age 58.

Swiss downhill legend Roland Collombin, Olympic silver medallist and two-time World Cup Downhill champion, has died at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer.

Former U.S. Ski Team member TJ Lanning, a World Cup downhiller, U.S. downhill champion and coach, has died at 41.

French skiing is mourning Maurice Adrait, the longtime coach, mentor and Fédération Française de Ski press officer who helped shape generations of athletes, including Carole Merle and Alexis Pinturault. He died at age 72.

The Alberta ski racing community is mourning the loss of 15-year-old Lake Louise Ski Club athlete Emilio, whose passion, talent, and spirit left a lasting impact on teammates, coaches, and the broader alpine community.

Six women killed in this week’s avalanche tragedy were mothers in the Sugar Bowl Academy community. Ski Racing Media reflects on the loss and the deep impact across the snowsports world.

Nearly fifteen years after his passing, Spencer Nelson’s impact on the University of Colorado Ski Team endures through resilience, perseverance, and a legacy that extends far beyond results.

Race Place founder and BEAST creator Scott Holmer is remembered for his innovation, mentorship, and lasting impact on generations of ski racers.

One year after 19-year-old Italian ski racer Matilde Lorenzi died in a training crash, prosecutors in Bolzano have reopened the case as a formal criminal investigation. The inquiry names two suspects.

Dorota Dorota Tlalka-Mogore PAP/Wojciech Kryński Sept. 26 — After a long and hard battle with

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.

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.

Erich Sailer, who died at 99, was one of the most influential coaches in U.S. ski racing history. From a rope-tow hill at Buck Hill, Minnesota, to the world’s biggest stages, he shaped generations of Olympians, World Cup winners, and thousands of young racers and families. More than results, his legacy lives in the confidence, discipline, and love he instilled in everyone he coached—a touchstone of greatness whose influence will ripple for generations.

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.