SESTRIERE, Italy -- Federica Brignone solidified her dominance on home snow by clinching her second giant slalom victory within 48 hours at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup on February 22, 2025. The 34-year-old Italian skier not only showcased her remarkable skills but also garnered enthusiastic support from around 15,000 spectators who cheered her on from the stands.
Following her success on February 21, where she won the first race, Brignone’s victory on Saturday came with immense pressure. The conditions were less than ideal as visibility fluctuated due to overcast skies, yet she managed to put forth another brilliant performance, this time edging out Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami and New Zealand's Alice Robinson.
Brignone's winning time of 2:08.81 placed her 0.77 seconds clear of Gut-Behrami, who finished second. Robinson, who had led after the first run, took third, finishing just 0.79 seconds behind. Italian star Sofia Goggia completed the top four, failing to secure the podium after starting the race with the disadvantage of being 17th after the first run.
Describing the intensity of the crowd and the thrill of competition, Brignone said, "I felt the crowd all over the slope cheering for me. It was an incredible feeling." This sentiment marked her second consecutive giant slalom win, following her gold medal at the World Championships held nine days prior at Saalbach, Austria.
Brignone, who made it clear she was fighting not just for personal victory but for the elation and pride of her supporters, reflected on her challenging recovery from previous hurdles, including bouts of flu. "I had to rest and recover for six days to regain my strength, and I really wanted to perform well," she noted. Her grit was evident as she even overcame challenging visibility conditions during her second run.
Despite her recent triumphs, Brignone began the season with mixed results, having suffered from three did-not-finishes (DNFs) out of her first five giant slalom races earlier this winter. Yet, her comeback is nothing short of impressive, with three giant slalom wins within just ten days, including her World Championship victory.
Gut-Behrami also showcased resilience, expressing, "It's not the easiest season for me this year," yet managed to improve her standings with consistent performances. She finished second, marking her best result of the season, following near misses and challenges throughout the earlier races.
For Alice Robinson, the podium finish reinforced her status as one of the season's top competitors, even as she admitted, "I wanted a bit more today," alluding to her missed chances to secure the win after leading initially. The New Zealander's consistent performance placed her just 40 points above Brignone in the giant slalom standings, setting up an exciting competition as the season continues.
The emotional ups and downs of this season have been particularly challenging for Mikaela Shiffrin, who failed to qualify for the second run—her first disqualification since October 2012. Having faced serious injuries earlier this season, Shiffrin expressed her disappointment but acknowledged she was currently focusing on collecting points rather than outright victories. "I will just have to keep pushing through and regain my stability," she remarked.
Meanwhile, Brignone’s remarkable performance continues to position her as one of the sport's greats, securing her place with 34 career World Cup victories and advancing her position within the top ranks of women’s skiing. With her recent wins, she now stands ninth on the women's all-time winners' list and is focused on executing her plans for the remainder of the season.
With Brignone's energy and determination underscored by her Italian homeland's fervent support, her double victory boosts her overall lead significantly, increasing her score to 999 points, far ahead of Gut-Behrami's 809. With the excitement of these events still fresh, the Alpine skiing community eagerly anticipates the continuation of this thrilling season.
Looking forward, the Resort of Sestriere is set to host the slalom event on February 23, even as Brignone enjoys her well-earned moment of triumph. With her dynamism and history-making performances, the world of Alpine skiing watches closely to see if she can continue to build on this extraordinary momentum.