LA Post: Audi Italia Director Fabrizio Longo Dies in Climbing Fall

Fabrizio Longo, Audi Italia director and experienced mountaineer, tragically died in a climbing accident on Cima Payer. The Italian Winter Sports Federation mourns his loss.

September 09, 2024

Sirisha Dinavahi - LA Post

MILAN, Italy - Fabrizio Longo, director of Audi Italia since 2013 and an experienced mountain climber, died Saturday after falling during a solo ascent of Cima Payer in northern Italy. He was 62. The Italian Winter Sports Federation announced Longo's death on its website, stating he fell while traversing a protected climbing route known as a "Via Ferrata" near the 10,000-foot summit of Cima Payer, a mountain located between the Italian provinces of Brescia and Trento. "This is a terrible loss for the federation, which has collaborated profitably with Longo for years," said Flavio Roda, president of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, in a statement. "We join his family in this moment of great pain and the staff of Audi Italia." Longo was described as "a very expert and careful mountaineer" who climbed solo when the incident occurred. Another climber witnessed the fall and alerted authorities, prompting a rescue response from the Pinzolo Alpine Rescue station. Rescuers arrived by helicopter and located Longo's body about 656 feet below the summit. A medical team certified his death at the scene. Local news outlet Il Messaggero reported that Longo's body was later recovered by a helicopter from the Guardia di Finanza, Italy's law enforcement agency, and transferred to Carisolo, Italy. Born in Rimini, Italy, in 1962, Longo had been with Audi since 2012, becoming director of Audi Italia in 2013. He previously held positions at Fiat and Lancia. The Italian Winter Sports Federation noted Longo's passion for mountains: "He had a great passion for the mountains, and, under his leadership, Audi Italia linked its image to that of the Italian Winter Sports Federation." Longo's Facebook profile reflected his love for mountaineering. His last post, which he shared two weeks before the incident, featured photos of the Anderta Alps in the Sesto Dolomites region of Italy. The Alps are famous for their Via Ferrata paths - challenging routes equipped with cables and other gear to help climbers tackle difficult, exposed sections.