Federica Brignone made history on December 28, 2024, by winning the women’s World Cup giant slalom at Semmering, Austria. This remarkable victory marked her first triumph at this venue, making her the first Italian woman to clinch the title here in 22 years. Brignone held onto her lead from the opening run, finishing 0.57 seconds ahead of Olympic giant slalom champion Sara Hector of Sweden, with New Zealand’s Alice Robinson finishing third, 0.90 seconds off the pace.
At 34 years and five months old, Brignone also extended her own record as the oldest woman to secure victory in the World Cup. She expressed her happiness with the win, stating, "It was not easy the second run, but the slope was amazing." This victory adds to Brignone's impressive resume, boasting now 29 career World Cup wins.
Brignone's achievement at Semmering is particularly significant considering the absence of fellow American skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who was unable to compete due to injury. This allowed for new names to shine, with Paula Moltzan being the highest-ranking American, placing fifth and matching her career-best result.
Brignone had not previously reached the podium at Semmering, having finished within the top 10 only four times in her prior 10 starts. She spoke about her determination to win, highlighting her goal of excelling at this event, saying, "Semmering was a goal of mine. I had never been on the podium here, and I wanted to succeed." This win not only brought victory to Brignone but also to Italy, where the last victory at Semmering was achieved by Karen Putzer back in 2002.
The race unfolded with Brignone leading after the first run, where she had eked out a narrow advantage over her competitors. Her commanding performance continued through the second run, allowing her to maintain her lead, even with minor mistakes. "I really wanted it, I’m so happy. It’s been a tough race, but I felt good, I wanted to fight and I was not too stressed," she commented after her impressive run.
Sara Hector, who finished second, acknowledged Brignone's strong performance, stating, "Brignone was skiing really good; she was pushing a lot on the second run — I didn't really have gas in me." Hector's runner-up finish marked her first podium at Semmering, demonstrating her competitiveness on the slopes.
Alice Robinson also made headlines, returning from some challenges earlier in the season. "I was feeling quite frazzled after the DNF in Killington and a little bit nervous about today," she admitted, but found her confidence during the second run, where she performed vigorously to claim third place.
Brignone's victory has propelled her to the top of the overall World Cup standings, overtaking Hector, who had been leading prior to this race. Reflecting on her career, Brignone expresses her desire to continue improving, stating, "I'm just trying to get Better and Better. I need to push my limit even higher every year." Her commitment is evident, as she has now won four of the last five giant slalom races.
Looking forward, Brignone shared her aspirations for the upcoming races, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining this level of performance. "I hope to continue this momentum and do Better in the speed events, where I'm still lacking something," she added, indicating her intent to not only focus on her strength but also to improve her performance across all disciplines.
This victory is not only significant for Brignone but also for Italian skiing as it reflects the strength and resilience of their athletes on the world stage. With the next race scheduled at Kranjska Gora, Brignone's victory sets the tone for the remainder of the World Cup season. "I’ve made a Christmas and New Year’s present, amazing!" she exclaimed, celebrating her success and the bright start to the new year.
Brignone’s historic win at Semmering encapsulates the spirit of competitive skiing, marking another chapter of excellence for the Italian team and underscoring Brignone's place as one of the sport's enduring figures. The skiing world now watches eagerly as she continues to chase her goals and pushes the boundaries of her already formidable career.
