Federica Brignone Shines at 2025 World Ski Championships Super-G
While Austria's Stephanie Venier claimed the gold, Italy's Brignone proudly secured silver as the competition ignited excitement.
Saalbach, Austria – The 2025 World Ski Championships Women's Super-G witnessed thrilling runs and intense competition as athletes hit the powdery slopes. The highlight of the day came from Italy's Federica Brignone, who clinched the silver medal, finishing just 0.10 seconds behind Austrian competitor Stephanie Venier, who took home the gold. This marked Brignone's fourth world championship medal, solidifying her status as one of the elite skiers of her generation.
Brignone's run started strong as she navigated the challenging Ulli Maier course, clocking 1:20.57 to take the lead early on. When Venier dropped next, the crowd erupted as she crossed the finish line with 1:20.47, snatching victory by the narrowest of margins. Meanwhile, the bronze medal was awarded jointly to Lauren Macuga of the USA and Norway's Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, both completing runs clocked at 1:20.71.
“Arrivare ad un grande evento del nostro sport nel momento giusto è qualcosa di speciale. Era uno dei miei obiettivi stagionali arrivare qui al meglio, sono orgogliosa di me,” Brignone said, expressing her happiness after her impressive performance, especially noting the pressure she felt going for gold.
Brignone had shown promise throughout the lead-up to the event, having been one of the favorites alongside her compatriot Sofia Goggia and the defending world champion, Marta Bassino. With five Italian athletes competing, including Laura Pirovano and Elena Curtoni, hopes were high for the team to deliver strong performances.
Goggia, on the hunt for her first world championship medal, finished just outside the podium, placing fifth with a time of 1:20.77, and lamented the close miss of just 0.06 seconds separating her from the medal positions. “Qualcuno deve essere quarto e oggi è toccato a me,” Goggia remarked after her run, reflecting on her near-miss and shifting focus quickly to her next opportunity.
Meanwhile, the competition was marred by disappointment for American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn. Arriving with high expectations after her six-year absence from world championships due to retirement and injury, Vonn was forced to retire early due to injury after colliding with a gate.
Her fall came as she was among the last athletes to compete, raising concern for the athlete who had previously dominated the slopes. “It's unfortunate how quickly it ended for me today. Coming back from so much, I hoped for more,” Vonn commented post-race, sustaining pain from the incident.
Overall, the event showcased not just the competition's intensity but also the camaraderie and sportsmanship among the athletes. Despite their fierce rivalry on the slopes, competitors congratulated each other warmly upon finishing their respective runs.
Another standout among the results was the significant performance by Emma Aicher from Germany, finishing sixth and marking her return to form after previous struggles.
The immediate future for the athletes includes the upcoming downhill race set to take place on February 8, 2025, where expectations for Brignone and Goggia to perform well remain high. With the medal count heavily favored toward Italy after the Super-G, the anticipation for future races within these championships continues to build.
With more events lined up and ambitions still high, Brignone and her team prepare to contest for additional medals, solidifying their reputation as one of the strongest teams at the championships. The 2025 World Ski Championships mark another thrilling chapter for alpine skiing, and the spotlight now turns toward the next rounds of competition as these remarkable athletes strive for glory.