Skiing: French Olympian Poisson dies after crash while training in Alberta
PARIS— French downhill skier David Poisson, a former medallist at the world championships, died on Monday following a crash in training in Alberta. He was 35.
The French Ski Federation said Poisson, who won the downhill bronze medal at the 2013 worlds, was training in the Canadian resort of Nakiska for World Cup races in North America. The federation did not elaborate.
An official with emergency medical services from nearby Calgary said a call came in mid-morning Monday.
“When we arrived we assessed an individual and determined him deceased on scene,” said Calgary EMS spokesperson Adam Loria.
“There was no chance for a hospital. We initially called out STARS (air ambulance) but once we made the determination we did stand the helicopter down.”
Alberta RCMP said in a release that the French skier had died “as a result of injuries received after the skier caught an edge and crashed through the safety netting striking a tree.”
“Medical personal and team doctor were at the scene immediately after the accident but were unable to resuscitate him,” the release said.
French sports minister Laura Flessel expressed her “sadness” and said she will look carefully into the circumstances of the crash.
Poisson, a bulky racer with a broad smile nicknamed Caillou (or small stone), was a popular figure on the World Cup circuit. He secured his only World Cup podium in 2015 when he came third in the Santa Caterina downhill in Italy, and was fourth in the prestigious Kitzbuehel downhill in 2013. He also competed in the 2014 Olympics and hoped to qualify for the Pyeongchang Games.
Members of Canada’s ski community also expressed their sorrow.
“Sending love and support to Poisson’s family, team and the entire ski racing community . . . David’s tragic accident is felt at the deepest level,” tweeted Kerrin Lee-Gardner, a former gold medallist from Canada.
Kelly VanderBeek, another former member of Canada’s Olympic alpine ski team, said she was “in shock” at news of Poisson’s death.
“My heart goes out to the entire community, but especially his family, friends, and all those who loved him,” VanderBeek said Monday in a tweet.