Federica Brignone scored her second giant slalom win of the 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season at Semmering, Austria on December 28, 2024. The Italian veteran extended her own record as the oldest women's World Cup race winner with yet another superb display on the slopes.
The 34-year-old Brignone was quickest on the first run, delivering impressive speed and technique. Despite facing challenges, including one significant error early on the second descent, she managed to secure her position. She completed the race with a time of 2:03.14, finishing 0.57 seconds ahead of Sweden's reigning Olympic champion Sara Hector, who took second place. New Zealand's Alice Robinson settled for third place, rounding out the podium.
This latest victory marks Brignone's 29th win on the World Cup circuit, making her the oldest female competitor to achieve such success at 34 years and 167 days old—a record she had previously set earlier this season at Sölden. Brignone expressed her joy after the race, saying, "It was not easy, the second run, but the slope was amazing. Actually, it's my first podium here in Semmering. I really wanted it and I'm so happy. I felt really good today, I wanted to fight and I was not too stressed, so I'm happy."
Brignone's past performances highlighted the significance of this victory. She had struggled with finishing after not completing the last giant slalom at Killington. She came to Semmering eager to demonstrate her capabilities on the course where she had previously not ranked among the top three. Her determination paid off, and she showcased her skills, helping her country amass impressive success with this win contributing to Italy's historical tally of 132 World Cup victories.
Meanwhile, other competitors faced their own challenges. Lara Gut-Behrami appeared to be on track for potential podium success but experienced difficulties after hitting a gate hard, which resulted in her finishing ninth. Valerie Grenier from Canada shone with her best result of the season, placing fourth, and Paula Moltzan led the American squad with her fifth-place finish, all of which is notable considering Mikaela Shiffrin remained sidelined due to injuries sustained at Killington.
Julia Scheib of Austria created excitement among the home fans with her impressive performance, recording the fastest second run of the day. Yet, after starting from 13th, she finished sixth overall following Alice Robinson's comeback from sixth place at the end of the first run.
Brignone’s commitment to excellence was on full display, and her performance didn’t just underline her skill but also her mental resilience. She attributed her success to solid mental fortitude, stating, “I really wanted to fight.” This determination was evident as she confidently navigated the technical course.
On the overall standings, Brignone's win marked her ascent to the top of the giant slalom leaderboard, overtaking Camille Rast, who finished 17th, and solidifying her leadership position. The momentum from this race positions Brignone favorably as the season progresses, especially with key races on the horizon.
The next event is the slalom scheduled for December 29, where Brignone aims to carry forward her success. She has the crowded World Cup calendar on the agenda, and with experience on her side, she intends to maintain her performance level and competitiveness.
Brignone has proven to be the backbone of Italian women’s skiing, inspiring upcoming competitors and invigorated fans with her performances. With her experience and dedication, she has set her eyes on future competitions, demonstrating herself as one of the leading athletes in the sport. This win at Semmering is not just another victory for her; it signifies her prowess and perseverance on the World Cup circuit.
