World Champion Skydiver, 37, Dies After Parachute Fails to Open During Freefall Jump Over Mountain

A world champion wingsuit skydiver has died after his parachute failed to open during a freefall jump in southeastern France, according to reports.

On Saturday, Feb. 7, Pierre Wolnik, a two-time French freefly world champion, jumped from a helicopter in a wingsuit for a freefall in the Mont Blanc massif, a mountain range in the French Alps, French outlets reported. After several seconds of freefall, the 37-year-old athlete’s parachute did not open for unknown reasons as he approached the ground, resulting in his death.

Wolnik’s body was found in the village of Les Bossons in the Chamonix valley, and first responders declared him dead at the scene. An investigation into his death is ongoing.

Wolnik was a member of the French team for the 2026 FAI World Championships and was regarded as a leader in wingsuit skydiving, according to reports. He also worked as a videographer for the Fédération Française de Parachutisme, filming skydiving footage and sharing it with his social media followers.

Wolnik described himself as a double world champion on Instagram.

Following his death, the Fédération Française de Parachutisme said he would be remembered as a teammate whose presence would remain with those who knew 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 added.

In a separate tribute, Fédération Française de Parachutisme President Yves-Marie Guillaud also honored Wolnik, calling him a talented young man remembered for his friendly smile and saying his memory would remain in the hearts of the community.

Last November, Wolnik shared a video on Instagram of one of his freefalls. “Flying high, feeling free,” he captioned the video. “Because up there, everything makes sense.”