Federica Brignone made history on March 22, 2025, as she secured the overall and downhill titles in the Alpine Skiing World Cup at the Finals held in Sun Valley, Idaho. The much-anticipated women's downhill race was unfortunately canceled due to heavy snowfall and strong winds, leading to the unexpected conclusion of the season's standings without a single run taking place for the day.
As a result of this cancellation, Brignone maintained her lead in the standings, making it impossible for her closest rival, Lara Gut-Behrami, to overtake her in points. Coming into the Finals, Brignone had an impressive 382-point lead, leaving her already on the verge of clinching her titles. After the cancellation, Brignone celebrated not just one, but two significant trophies entering her collection: the overall World Cup title and the downhill cup, making her a two-time overall winner since her first victory in 2020.
In the women's downhill standings as of March 22, 2025, Brignone finished with a remarkable 384 points, while Cornelia Huetter followed in second place with 368 points, and her teammate Sofia Goggia came in third with 350 points. The men's downhill title was secured earlier by Swiss skier Marco Odermatt, who triumphed over fellow compatriot Franjo Von Allmen.
The weather disruptions meant both the men's and women's downhill races faced several postponements before ultimately being scrapped altogether. This marked the first time in Finals history that significant events fell prey to such harsh conditions, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of outdoor sports.
As Brignone prepares for her upcoming competitions, she is also set to contest in the superG scheduled for March 23 and the giant slalom on March 26, 2025. Currently, she holds a slight edge in superG standings with just a five-point lead over Gut-Behrami, her last remaining competitor capable of challenging her further.
In the giant slalom standings, Brignone trails behind the leader Alice Robinson, who tops the leaderboard with 520 points compared to Brignone’s 500. Given that Federica has recently triumphed in the same event at the World Championships, this upcoming competition is poised to be a thrilling showdown and a test of her versatility.
Reflecting on her season so far, Brignone has achieved an extraordinary milestone, having won a total of ten races and secured four podium finishes throughout the season. She also brought home gold in the giant slalom and silver in the superG at the Saalbach 2025 World Championships. With 83 podiums and 37 World Cup victories to her name, she has established herself as the most successful Italian female skier in history.
Following the race cancellations, Brignone spoke candidly about the shock of winning two titles without skiing in the Finals. “Sì, in un giorno senza la manche, senza l'adrenalina della gara, ovviamente è un po' più difficile,” she remarked to the FISI, reflecting on the challenges of no competition day amid such excitement.
She also shared her surprise at the events that unfolded, calling it “una cosa folle e pazza.” The unexpected wins led to her feelings mixed with joy and the competitive anticipation of what remained of the season. Her adaptability and preparation seem to underpin her philosophy as she noted how she remains unfazed by changing conditions in the sport, saying that adaptability is one of her strongest qualities. “Io sono una che si adatta a tutto,” she expressed, highlighting her seasoned experience on the slopes.
As the finals continue, all eyes will be on Brignone as she competes, pursuing the possibility of securing even more accolades and retaining her dominance in the sport at nearly 35 years old. The prospect of completing a historic grand slam- achieving victory across all categories remains within her reach and would further underscore her illustrious career as she aims to cement her legacy in alpine skiing.
