A tragic accident has claimed the life of Pierre Wolnik, a two-time world champion in wingsuit skydiving, who died after his parachute failed to open during a free-fall jump over Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the French Alps.
Wolnik, 37, was performing a high-risk wingsuit jump on Saturday above the Mont Blanc massif when disaster struck.
The elite skydiver leaped from a helicopter and plunged toward the ground, free-falling for several seconds. Sadly, his parachute failed to deploy, and Wolnik crashed into the rocky terrain below.
French news outlet Le Figaro reported that first responders later located his body in Les Bossons, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The tragic event has shocked the wingsuit skydiving community.
Tributes Pour In for the Fallen Champion
Yves-Marie Guillaud, president of the Fédération Française de Parachutisme, shared a heartfelt tribute to Wolnik on Facebook: “The entire sport skydiving community mourns the loss of a talented young man with such a warm smile,” he wrote.
“Our condolences go first and foremost to his family and loved ones, but also to his teammates and the entire French national artistic skydiving team, and more generally to all French national teams. May the memory of this exceptional skydiver fill our hearts as skydivers.”
A Rising Star in Extreme Sports
Pierre Wolnik had already cemented his place as a star in the world of extreme sports, winning the prestigious Freefly World Championship in both 2022 and 2024, per the New York Post.
His passion and dedication to skydiving had earned him the respect of his peers, and he was set to represent France at the 2026 World Air Sports Federal Championships this summer.
In addition to his competitive achievements, Wolnik was an accomplished videographer, working with the Fédération Française de Parachutisme to document breathtaking aerial stunts.
His exhilarating footage captured the attention of his growing Instagram following, which numbered over 6,000.
A Final Post and Legacy
Just days before his tragic death, Wolnik shared a video on January 20, 2026, showing himself and fellow athletes honing their skills in a wind tunnel.
The caption read: "Nothing beats winter four-way training at home," a testament to his commitment to perfecting his craft.
His Instagram feed also featured thrilling clips of his jumps and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his rigorous training sessions. His dedication to the sport was clear in every post.
The Fédération Française de Parachutisme paid tribute to Wolnik in an emotional Instagram post: “A videographer with the French National Artistic Parachuting Team and two-time Freefly World Champion in 2022 and 2024, Pierre leaves behind the memory of a teammate whose presence will forever be etched in the hearts of his loved ones.
"Today, the entire sport parachuting community mourns and pays tribute to a young man renowned for his talent and exceptional character.”