SUN VALLEY, Idaho -- In a thrilling finale at the World Cup finals held on March 25, 2025, Italian ski racer Federica Brignone clinched the season-long giant slalom title, marking a significant achievement in her storied career. The event was highlighted by a remarkable performance from Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland, who won the race with a combined time of 2 minutes, 10.01 seconds, finishing just 0.14 seconds ahead of Brignone.
Brignone's journey to the giant slalom crown was fraught with tension. Entering the final race, she was 20 points behind Alice Robinson of New Zealand, who was leading the standings. Robinson's hopes of securing New Zealand's first-ever Globe were dashed when she skied out during a challenging first run, which allowed Brignone to seize the moment. "This is why I like the sport so much, to be here and still playing the game at the end," Brignone said, expressing her joy at the culmination of the season. "It's the thing that makes me feel more alive. It's stressful on one hand, but at the end it's so nice."
In the final race, Brignone finished second, which was sufficient to secure the Giant Slalom Crystal Globe with a total of 580 points. Robinson ended the season with 520 points, while Sara Hector of Sweden took third place in the race and finished the season with 447 points.
Brignone's success this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. She has not only claimed the giant slalom title but also the overall title and the downhill crown. Last month, she won a gold medal in the giant slalom at the world championships, along with a silver in the super-G. Reflecting on her season, Brignone said, "Who could imagine to win so much?" Her achievements have set her up as a formidable competitor heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics in her home country.
Gut-Behrami's victory in Sun Valley was also historic, as it marked her 100th World Cup podium, making her the sixth female skier ever to reach this milestone. The 33-year-old was elated with her performance, stating, "I’m really happy, GS I have been struggling a lot this season. I’m just happy that at the end I was able to show the skiing that I can do and it’s really nice to end the season with a win in GS, a double win here." This victory added to her impressive career record, which includes 24 super-G wins, 13 downhill triumphs, and 10 giant slalom victories.
Brignone's performance in the final race was a testament to her skill and determination. Despite a shaky first run, where she described her effort as "totally messed up," she rebounded in the second run with a fearless approach. "In the first run I totally messed up but it was really tricky and not easy. Then after, I said ‘OK, I am going to try to give everything as always,’" Brignone recounted. Her second run was the fastest of all 20 racers, showcasing her competitive spirit.
Meanwhile, the American racer Paula Moltzan faced a tough day on the challenging Challenger course. She lost a ski pole early in her run and ultimately crashed through a gate, which ended her hopes for a strong finish. Mikaela Shiffrin, a two-time giant slalom World Cup winner, was notably absent from the finals this season due to post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from a serious crash last November.
As the season winds down, the spotlight shifts to the slalom event, where Zrinka Ljutic of Croatia and Camille Rast of Switzerland will compete for the final Globe. The excitement surrounding the World Cup finals in Sun Valley has underscored the thrilling nature of alpine skiing, with veteran athletes like Brignone and Gut-Behrami continuing to impress and inspire the next generation of skiers.
In summary, the 2024/25 World Cup season has been a remarkable journey for Federica Brignone, who not only showcased her talent but also demonstrated resilience in the face of fierce competition. As she prepares for the upcoming Olympics, her achievements this season will undoubtedly set the stage for what promises to be an exciting future in alpine skiing.
