Skier Jean Daniel Pession, Girlfriend Die After Falling Off Mountain in Italy

Professional skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend, Elisa Arlian, died after falling from Monte Zerbion in Italy.

The Italian Winter Sports Federation announced the couple died Saturday while on a hike (via TMZ Sports).

Their families grew concerned when they hadn't yet returned from the hike and contacted the local authorities.

Rai News (via Owen Lavine of the Daily Beast) reported emergency personnel eventually found Pession, 28, and Arlian, 26, after hours of searching. Their cellphone signals were used to help identify the general area where they had fallen, and they were discovered not far away from the summit.

Pession, who specialized in speed skiing, competed in five FIS World Cup events across 2021 and 2022. His best finish came in March 11, 2021 in Idrefiäll, Sweden, when he placed 11th.