Former Italian skier Elena Fanchini has died after a long battle with cancer. Former competitors commemorate her – and her “influence on the sport”.
The Italian ski racer Elena Fanchini passed away at the age of 37 after a long battle with cancer. This was announced by the Italian ski association FISI on Wednesday. The speed specialist won 2005 World Championship silver in the downhill. In this discipline she also celebrated her two World Cup victories.
US top driver Mikaela Shiffrin explained on the fringes of the Alpine Ski World Championships in Courchevel and Méribel, France, that they Fanchini “never forget” become. She also shared on Instagram: “My condolences to the entire Fanchini family who, with their passion and kindness, have had such a strong impact on our sport and the world.”
Former competitor Maria Höfl-Riesch commemorates Fanchini
The former German ski racer Maria Höfl-Riesch, who had dueled with Fanchini for podium places for many years, also remembered shared moments. “It was an honor to ski with you”, wrote the three-time Olympic champion in her Instagram story. In addition, she published a picture that shows both on the podium in Lake Louise.
Fanchini has been plagued by injuries throughout her career, most notably to her knees, which she put “of glass” passed.
In 2020 Elena Fanchini resigned together with sister Nadia
She missed the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics and was seriously injured on her return later in the year after surgery for a tumor. She fell in training and suffered a broken finger, a broken fibula and a severe contusion of her left knee.
In 2020 she retired together with her younger sister Nadia (WM silver 2013 in downhill). As reported by Italian media, the cancer broke out again in August last year. The Italian top ski racer Sofia Goggia recently dedicated the downhill victory at home in Cortina d’Ampezzo to Fanchini.