French skier David Poisson, who won a bronze medal in the downhill at the 2013 world championships, died in a training accident on Monday. He was 35.

The French skiing federation confirmed the news in a statement. “The federation joins the pain of his loved ones in these particularly difficult times,” it said.

Poisson died at the Nakiska ski resort west of Calgary, where he was preparing for the upcoming World Cup events in North America. The first event takes place this month at Alberta’s Lake Louise. His best finish at a World Cup event came in 2015 when he finished third at Santa Caterina in Italy.



Can't believe the tragic news of #davidpoisson today.A great guy who was always either charging or smiling. ❤️ to all his family. @fisalpine — Chemmy Alcott (@ChemmySki) November 13, 2017

The four-time Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott paid tribute to Poisson on Twitter. “Can’t believe the tragic news. A great guy who was always either charging or smiling,” she wrote.

Poisson was a popular figure on the ski circuit known for his broad grin, and was nicknamed “Caillou” (“small stone”) due to his small, stocky physique. The International Ski Federation paid tribute to “a respected and accomplished athlete on the World Cup tour ever since his debut in 2004”.

Poisson represented France at two Winter Olympics, finishing seventh in the downhill in 2010 and 16th in 2014. His death is not the first time French skiing has been hit by tragedy. World Super G champion Regine Cavagnoud was killed in a collision while training in 2001.