It was with huge sadness to read the press release sent out by the French Ski Federation on Monday 13 November with the very sad news that David Poisson, a 35 year old downhill racer with the French team had passed away after a training accident in Nakiska, Canada. Poisson had recently announced that this was going to be his last season.
Poisson was a veteran of two Olympic Games with a best result of seventh in the 2010 Whistler Downhill. He also competed in the Super G. Poisson took part in four World Championships winning the bronze in the Schladming Downhill in 2013. On the World Cup, Poisson also had one podium in Bormio in the Downhill in 2015. in all he had 11 top ten results on the World Cup. His best year on the World Cup was 2013 when he finished 15th overall.
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Many felt that the friendly and warm man was almost invincible as he suffered a number of huge crashes yet always seemed to get up. Finlay Mickel, ex-British Downhill racer saw him compete in the 2008 French Championships down the test event for the World Championships. "He flew and flew yet because he was a short stocky man, nothing seemed to stick to him," Mickel explained. "The Crazy Fish (as he was affectionately known) took risks, big risks."
It is understood that Poisson's father died recently from cancer.
In a season that hit the French team hard with injuries to Valentin Giroud Moine after a horrendous accident at Garmish, this is horrendous news. The French Ski Federation did not elaborate on what had happened with Poisson's crash.
Poisson competed on the British Championships in Tignes both in 2015 and 2017 helping young racers to improve. In 2015 he placed third in the Super G and was third in the Delancey British Downhill Championship race in 2017.
Always with a smile, there was a steely determination that the Annecy born racer had about him. He never quite made the top echelons in the sport but he kept on plugging away. He will be sorely missed on the World Cup and in life. David Poisson had two children and was from the Savoie region.
We will miss you David. Thanks for the memories. RIP David Poisson