American Skiers Escape Burning Hotel, Lose Gear, Passports
American skiers escape burning hotel, lose gear, passports – Yahoo Sports
NewsNation (September 9, 2026) –
The opening event of the
FIS Masters Alpine Skiing World Cup
in Chile has been cancelled after a fire destroyed a hotel housing competitors, prompting a fundraising campaign for U.S. racers who lost their ski equipment and personal belongings.
The fire broke out on Sunday at the
Hotel Alto Nevados
in Nevados de Chillan, where Masters racers were staying for a pre-season training camp.
According to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), over 30 Masters racers were staying at the hotel. All guests and staff were evacuated unharmed, and no serious injuries were reported.
More than 100 athletes from 15 countries had entered the planned Sept. 11-13 event, which was to include super-G, combined, slalom, and giant slalom races. The Masters is for racers aged 30 and over.
A fundraising campaign for U.S. participants states that a group of 40 racers, coaches, and travelling companions attended the training camp when the hotel was destroyed.
"Most of the individuals left their rooms with the clothes on their backs, leaving behind all their ski clothing and gear." – Campaign organizer Lauren Beckos, GoFundMe
"Nearly half of those affected did not even manage to salvage their wallets, passports, cash, or medications. In many cases, they dashed through smoke from the fire to escape the building without shoes or coats." – Campaign organizer Lauren Beckos, GoFundMe
FIS announced that the World Cup season is expected to begin with an indoor event in Wittenburg, Germany, in early November.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina; editing by Clare Fallon)
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