Federica Brignone has posted the fastest time in the opening run of the women’s World Cup giant slalom held at Semmering, Austria, as she aims to become the first Italian winner of the event since 2002. This past Saturday, Brignone clocked the best time, leading defending overall champion Lara Gut-Behrami by 0.15 seconds, with Olympic giant slalom champion Sara Hector trailing closely behind at 0.24 seconds.
Brignone's success on the panorama slope, expertly set by her coach Giorgio Pavoni, showcased her attacking style and prowess, distancing herself from the other competitors significantly. With this performance, she has put herself in prime position to seek her first victory for Italy at the venue where no Italian skier has claimed triumph since Karen Putzer achieved this feat over two decades ago.
The significance of Brignone’s progress cannot be underscored. Having recently won three out of the last four giant slalom races, she is currently ranked second this season, just behind Hector. This race is pivotal not just for Brignone’s individual ambitions, but also for her team, as they look to break the long-standing victory drought.
Throughout the competition, Brignone demonstrated clarity and skill, particularly on the tricky sections of the Zauberberg course. "It’s good, rhythmic and with a lot of turns," she expressed, reflecting on the challenges and how she overcame them to secure her leading position after the first run.
Gut-Behrami, another fierce competitor, displayed notable improvement compared to her prior performance at Killington and aimed for her 46th World Cup victory this season. With only 0.15 seconds separating the two racers, the final run promises to be thrilling as both competitors vie for the top spot.
Meanwhile, Hector's bid for victory has added stakes to the race. Currently leading the discipline rankings, Hector lost 0.24 seconds to Brignone and will be pushing hard to regain lost ground and solidify her own standing within the overall World Cup hierarchy.
American racer Paula Moltzan is also making headlines, having positioned herself as the leading American athlete at this event, trailing Brignone by 0.53 seconds and placing fourth overall. The absence of the celebrated Mikaela Shiffrin, recovering from abdominal surgery after sustaining injuries from a crash during the Killington race, has undoubtedly shifted the dynamics of the competition. Shiffrin is famed for her four victories at Semmering and currently holds the record for the most World Cup wins both overall and within the giant slalom discipline.
Adding to the intrigue, former overall champion Petra Vlhova is also sidelined due to her recovery from knee surgery. Her absence is felt as the competition heats up, leaving Brignone and her remaining competitors to navigate the field without these prominent racers.
With the second run of the giant slalom scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM local time, eyes will be glued to Brignone as she has the opportunity to make history not only for herself but for Italian skiing. What does this event mean for future races? Can Brignone reclaim Italy's title for the first time since Putzer’s victory two decades ago? Only time will tell.
This thrilling race format, occurring every two years, adds to the anticipation surrounding the event. Fans and enthusiasts alike will be hoping for dynamic performances as athletes push their limits on the snow-covered slopes of Semmering. Will Brignone secure her legacy and end Italy's long-standing wait for glory at this venue? All eyes are on her as she heads toward the second run with the hopes of her team and the nation riding on her shoulders.
