Tragedy in skiing: Young wonder Margot Simond dies in the event of an accident

Tragedy in skiing: Young wonder Margot Simond dies in the event of an accident

Val d’Isère, Frankreich - The French young ski driver Margot Simond died after a tragic training accident in Val d’Isère. The incident occurred on Thursday when the 18-year-old fell heavily during an official training session for the "Red Bull Alpine Park". The French Ski Association FFS confirmed the sad news, which caused deep dismay in the entire ski community. Simond was one of the most promising talents in French skiing and had already achieved remarkable success in the past.

The accident occurred around 1 p.m. in the "Envers de Bellevarde" area. Despite the quick arrival of an emergency doctor, the young athlete could not be revived. The exact circumstances of the accident are now examined by the Albertville public prosecutor, whereby the conditions in training have been described as well. Simond recently won the title of the French U18 champion in slalom and took 20th place at the Junior World Championships.

the legacy of Margot Simond

The grief for Margot Simond goes far beyond her personal loss. She was active for the Club Les Saisies and was nominated as part of a selection of eight U21 athletes for the Red Bull Alpine Park. This event, which combined classic slalom elements with innovation approaches in slopestyle, was completely canceled as a sign of respect for Simond and its tragedy.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) also expressed its condolences and offered support to the relatives. In times when the risk of skiing injuries increases - according to the analysis, the number of injuries rose to an estimated 46,000 to 48,000 in the 2023/2024 season - the importance of security in skiing is becoming increasingly clear. The risk of collision accidents in particular has increased, which requires an increased focus on security measures in training and competition.

In the current season, the risk of inpatient treatments is stable at 1.73 per 1,000 skiers. Nevertheless, the numbers of recent years show that the number of injured skiers has declined by 52 percent compared to the basic season 1979/80, while the last two seasons have shown a growing tendency for injuries. These developments illustrate how important it is to strengthen safety precautions to prevent tragedies such as the loss of Margot Simond in the future.

The tragic loss of duties transmits a clear appeal to the ski community: Safety must first be in order to protect the passionate sportswear for future generations.