Tragedy in Valtellina, dead Marika Mascherona and Alberto De Maron

Terrible tragedy in Alta Valtellina: the two ski mountaineers Marika Mascherona and Alberto De Maron were swept away by an avalanche on Monte Cornacci in Valdidentro. Mascherona, 27, a former European Cup slalomist, ski instructor in Bormio and coach in the Children category of the Bormio Ski Club, was the sister of Katia Mascherona, a member of the World Cup ski mountaineering team.

De Maron, 25, was a resident of Grosotto (Sondrio), an employee of the A2A energy company. A third friend who was with them was not hit by the avalanche and raised the alarm with his cell phone: military personnel from the Sagf-Soccorso Alpino of the Guardia di Finanza from Bormio, firefighters from the Valdisotto detachment and about 15 mountain rescue technicians, as well as medical personnel with two helicopters, arrived on the scene. The three were in the Calcano Lakes area on a day when the risk index was high, namely 4 on a five-step European scale.

Bringing the news was FISI, with President Flavio Roda and the Federal Council expressing condolences to the families after the tragedy. The FISI Central Alps Regional Committee said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Marika Mascherona, a former Committee athlete, who lost her life under an avalanche today. Her loss deeply affects our entire world and leaves a great void in the’entire winter sports community”.

“The Committee extends its sincere affection to her family, friends and the entire snow world at this time of immense grief. Hello Marika you will continue to ski in our hearts”.