Federica Brignone celebrated yet another milestone in her illustrious skiing career on March 25, 2025, by securing the Giant Slalom World Cup title at the season finale held at Sun Valley, Idaho. The Italian skier, known for her remarkable talent and determination, finished second in the final race with an overall time of 2:10.15, trailing just behind Swiss competitor Lara Gut-Behrami, who clocked in at 2:10.01. Brignone’s performance not only capped off a spectacular season but also fulfilled her dream of winning the coveted trophy in giant slalom, following her previous successes in the overall and downhill categories.
This year marks Brignone’s best season to date, showcasing 12 victories and 24 podium finishes throughout the various competitions. After securing a remarkable third crystal globe to add to her collection, Brignone now has a total of 580 points in the Giant Slalom standings, overtaking New Zealand's Alice Robinson, who was forced to exit the race early due to a fall during the first run. This misstep proved costly for Robinson, who had held a 20-point lead going into the final competition.
Brignone’s performance in the final event saw her achieve the remarkable feat of her 85th career podium finish. With the victory at Sun Valley, she joins an elite group of skiers who have successfully claimed multiple titles in a single season. "La Coppa di gigante era un altro dei miei sogni e si è realizzato. Ho sempre fatto troppi errori nel passato, ma negli ultimi anni sono sempre stata lì vicina. Quest’anno mi sono messa a testa bassa e ho cercato di vincere più gare possibili," Brignone reflected on her success during a post-race interview with RaiSport.
The atmosphere at Sun Valley was electric, filled with excitement and tension as skiers took to the challenging course. With Brignone starting first, all eyes were on her as the competition began. Her aggression and focus were evident from the start, as she attempted to navigate the demanding conditions while minimizing mistakes. Unfortunately, Sofia Goggia, another strong competitor for Italy, experienced disappointment as she exited the course during her second run despite showing promise in the first heat.
The first run of the giant slalom revealed the fierce competition, with Gut-Behrami leading with a time of 1:04.07, closely followed by Brignone (+0:45) and Sweden’s Sara Hector (+0:68). Despite the pressure of the moment, Brignone showcased her experience and skill, maintaining her composure to finish ahead of other competitors when it mattered most.
For Brignone, the victory was also bittersweet- she acknowledged the challenges she faced throughout the season, describing it as "incredibly challenging, both mentally and physically." Reflecting on her journey, she noted, "Non mi importava più del risultato. Sono davvero felice della coppa, la terza della stagione. Non posso che essere soddisfatta." In light of her success, many fans and commentators are hopeful as they look forward to the upcoming Olympic season, eager to see if Brignone can continue her winning ways.
The race saw many thrills and spills, with several athletes struggling on the track's difficult terrain. Paula Moltzan, an American skier, faced a traumatic fall that had fans on edge before she managed to reassure everyone with her recovery. Meanwhile, Robinson couldn’t conceal her disappointment as she stated, "Sono davvero delusa. Volevo esprimere il massimo oggi. Ho avuto problemi fin dall'inizio."
Despite her setbacks, Brignone’s resilient spirit shines through as she prepares for the next challenges ahead. With her sights set on the Olympics, she has proven time and time again that her determination and talent make her a formidable force on the slopes. As this covers the exciting journey of a remarkable season, Brignone’s win reinforces her status as a skiing legend, already inspiring future generations of athletes.
