The Unthinkable Happened: Remembering Margot Simond
The skiing world is reeling. Eighteen-year-old Margot Simond, a rising star from Les Saisies Sporting Club, is gone. She died Thursday, April 24th, 2025, after a training accident in Val d'Isère. It’s just… unbelievable. Honestly, who saw that coming?
Margot was a force of nature. A bright, talented young skier with a future that seemed limitless. She was training for Clément Noël’s Red Bull Alpine Park event—a big deal, you know?—when the accident happened on the Envers de Bellevard slope. Paramedics were there instantly, they even had a doctor on-site who tried to resuscitate her. But it wasn't enough. The Albertville prosecutor’s office is investigating, trying to figure out exactly what happened. It’s heartbreaking, and frankly, terrifying. This kind of thing…it shouldn’t happen.
A Champion in the Making
Margot had already achieved so much. She’d just won the French U18 slalom championship in March. She was heading to the 2025 FIS Junior World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy. This wasn't some small local competition; this was the big leagues for someone her age. And everyone—from fellow skiers like Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, to the French Ski Federation (FFS), the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), and the French Olympic Committee—knew it. They all knew she was special. They’ve all sent their condolences; it's a testament to the mark she left.
Silence on the Slopes
The Red Bull Alpine Park event? Cancelled. Of course it was. How could they possibly go ahead with it after what happened? It’s a gut punch to everyone involved—the organizers, the other athletes, the fans. It serves as a brutal reminder: professional sports, especially at this elite level, come with serious risks. It makes you stop and think, doesn’t it? You know, about the fine line between pushing your limits and pushing too far.
Remembering a Star
The investigation will hopefully answer some questions, maybe even find ways to prevent future tragedies. But for now, there's only grief. A huge, overwhelming sense of loss for a life cut short, a talent extinguished too soon. Margot’s passion, her drive, her skill… it all feels so tragically wasted. It's a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, and how quickly things can change. We’ll remember her, though. We'll remember her spirit, her strength, and the bright light she brought to the world of skiing.
Margot Simond’s legacy will live on, not just in the memories of those who knew her, but in the renewed focus on safety in the sport. It’s a terrible price to pay, but hopefully, her memory will inspire positive change. This shouldn't happen again.
