Pierre Wolnik: World Champion Skydiver Passes Away After Parachute Failure in France
A reigning world champion in wingsuit skydiving has lost his life after his parachute reportedly failed to deploy during a free-fall jump in southeastern France over the weekend.
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On Saturday, February 7, Pierre Wolnik — a two-time French freefly world champion — leapt from a helicopter in a wingsuit above the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps, according to reports by Le Figaro, TF1 Info and Le Dauphiné Libéré. The 37-year-old had been attempting a high-altitude freefall when, after several seconds in descent, his parachute did not open for reasons that remain unclear, leading to a fatal impact.
His body was later recovered in the village of Les Bossons in the Chamonix valley, where emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene, Le Figaro reported. Authorities have since launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Wolnik, widely regarded as a prominent figure in wingsuit skydiving, was part of the French squad preparing for the 2026 FAI World Championships, according to Le Parisien. Beyond competition, he also served as a videographer for the Fédération Française de Parachutisme (FPF), documenting his aerial performances and sharing them across social media platforms. His Instagram profile identified him as a two-time world champion.
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In the wake of his passing, the FPF released a statement honoring his memory, describing him as a teammate whose presence would remain deeply engraved in the hearts of those who knew him. The federation added that the entire sport parachuting community was grieving the loss of a gifted athlete celebrated not only for his skill but also for his remarkable character.
Source: Briefly News
