A World Cup downhill skier and his girlfriend have died in a tragedy in a fall on a mountain in northern Italy.
The deaths of Jean Daniel Pession and Elisa Arlian were confirmed in a statement by the Italian Winter Sports Federation.
They fell in a "tragic mountain accident" the group said.
The pair died after falling from Monte Zerbion, in the Aosta Valley, according to broadcaster TG3.
They were backcountry skiing and traversing a ridge dividing the east and north faces of the mountain when they fell more than 2,000 feet.
The pair was tied together as they apparently tried to lower themselves when they fell.
After hours of searching, rescuers found their bodies buried in the snow, and died in each other's arms, the Mirror reported.
Prime Minister Valle, Alberto Bertin told RAI News, "Two young lives broken by an accident in the mountains, that mountain that was their passion.
Pession was a member of Italy's World Cup speed skiing team. He finished 15th in the final World Cup standings in 2021.
Arlian was a cross-country ski instructor and elementary school teacher, the Mirror reported.
