Tragedy in the world of skiing, 18-year-old talent dies during training

Margot Simond, the French U18 slalom champion, died on Thursday at the age of 18 after a tragic skiing accident during training at the Red Bull Alpine Park in Val d'Isère, France.

Simond was training on the Envers de Bellevarde slope shortly before 1 p.m. when the crash occurred. An emergency doctor arrived at the scene immediately, but attempts to save him were unsuccessful.

The event, created by Olympic champion Clément Noël, was scheduled for this weekend and included competitions, entertainment and live music. The event, which featured a combined slalom and freestyle course, was canceled after the tragic accident.

Simond was a great hope for French alpine skiing. She was praised for her energy, determination and passion for the sport, earning the respect of coaches, teammates and rivals.

The ski community in France and beyond is mourning the loss of an extraordinary talent gone too soon. "Our thoughts are with Simond's family, friends and the entire French ski community," they said.

This tragedy is reminiscent of that of Matilde Lorenzi, the Italian national youth skier who lost her life in an accident during training in Alto Adige, and raises concerns about safety in the world of alpine skiing.

The Albertville Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the accident.

Val d'Isère, one of the most popular ski resorts in the French Alps, is located near the Italian border. The ski slopes, including the Face de Bellevarde (a black-rated run) and the Grande Motte glacier, are famous for their summer skiing opportunities. The Col de l'Iseran mountain pass is also a popular destination for cyclists in the summer, while the town offers its bars and restaurants around the Avenue Olympique.