A world champion skydiver has died during a free-fall jump,Le Figaro andLe Dauphiné Libéré reported.
Pierre Wolnick Dead After Ill-Fated Free-Fall Jump
Pierre Wolnik, 37, died on Saturday, Feb. 7, while attempting a free-fall jump in southeastern France. “The athlete slammed into the ground at high speed in the Bossons area, where emergency crews rushed to the scene but were unable to save him,”The Sun reported of the “catastrophic scene.”
The two-time French freefly world champion’s parachute failed to open after he jumped in a wingsuit from a helicopter over the Mont Blanc, a spectacular mountain range located within the French Alps. Wolnik was reportedly in a free fall for several seconds before realizing his parachute would not open for unknown reasons. His body was later recovered in the Chamonix Valley village of Les Bossons. An investigation into Wolnik’s death is ongoing.
Wolnik was a two-time world champ, having been crowned wingsuit champion in 2022 and 2024; and a member of France’s team at the 2026 World Airsports Federation (FAI) World Championships. He was also a celebrated videographer of airsports, working for the Fédération Française de Parachutisme (FFP), where he filmed and shared his aerial exploits with fans on social media.
Wolnick Remembered for His 'Talent' and 'Exceptional Character'
After news of his death broke, the FFP said Wolnik would be “remembered as a teammate whose presence will forever be etched in the memories of those around him.” “Today, the entire sport parachuting community mourns and pays tribute to a young man renowned for his talent and his exceptional character,” the organization said.
FFP President Yves-Marie Guillaud also paid tribute to Wolnik in a separate statement. "The entire sport parachuting community mourns a talented young man with such a friendly smile," he wrote on Facebook. "May the memory of this exceptional parachutist fill our hearts."
Wolnik’s fans flooded his social media posts with disbelieving tributes following his untimely demise. “My deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time,” one wrote. “So sad. Thinking of your family,” said another. “Rest in peace, extreme sportsman and pioneer of new possibilities,” concluded one fan.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/0E2UuDd
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