LA THUILE, Italy (AP) — Federica Brignone effectively sealed her bid for the overall FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup title after winning the super-G on Friday, March 14, 2025, at La Thuile, Italy. This victory not only thrilled the home crowd but also solidified her nearly insurmountable lead of 382 points over her nearest rival, Lara Gut-Behrami, with only four races remaining at the World Cup finals scheduled to take place next week in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Brignone's winning time was 57.95 seconds, narrowly edging out compatriot Sofia Goggia by just 0.01 seconds. French skier Romane Miradoli finished closely behind her at 0.05 seconds, demonstrating the intense competition throughout the race. Gut-Behrami managed to finish joint fourth, 0.35 seconds behind the leader. This performance risked her position not only for the super-G standings but also for the overall crystal globe title, which appears increasingly out of reach.
After the race, Brignone couldn't contain her excitement, expressing, "I have no words, my dream was to come to La Thuile and see the green [timing] light in front of my people, and I did it." This statement encapsulates the importance of the moment for the Italian skier, who grew up just a short distance away, feeling the weight of familial and local pride with her victory.
Brignone noted after her previous race, where she finished third due to trying too hard, she felt much more composed this time. Sixth to race down the hill, Brignone showed remarkable skill, speed through the first three sectors, and a slight loss of time at the final jump, yet still managed to retain the top position, as she held on against the competitive charge from her fellow skiers.
While Brignone was celebrating her success, Gut-Behrami's performance was under scrutiny as she dropped three-tenths of a second behind at the third sector, finishing joint fourth along with Corinne Suter from Switzerland. This situation allowed Brignone to leapfrog her rival by five points, taking the lead not just overall but also within the super-G standings.
Brignone commented on the immense emotions she felt through her home crowd, indicating, "I said yesterday; I wanted to get to the finish on my piste with the green light and that's what I wanted, I wasn't thinking about anything else," showcasing her focus and determination throughout the race.
With Brignone achieving her tenth World Cup win of the season, her lead has opened up the conversation about her potential quest for multiple titles. Currently, she is just 20 points away from the giant slalom title, leading observers to speculate on her capability to secure three significant championships by season's end.
The stakes and excitement are palpable as attention turns toward the upcoming races at the World Cup Finals. With the season's end looming and Brignone firmly atop the rankings, fans and experts alike are eager to see if she can maintain her form. The only remaining question is what would it take for Gut-Behrami and others to mount any sort of comeback. It would require not just superior performance but also extraordinary circumstances.
The upcoming weekend promises to deliver intense competition as Brignone stands on the verge of reclaiming her title, all the more heightened by securing those victories on her home turf, spurring her ambitions as she wraps up this season.