Italy's Federica Brignone made a confident comeback in the World Cup giant slalom at Kronplatz on Tuesday, placing seventh in the first run after a lengthy injury absence. The 35-year-old world champion finished fastest among Italian skiers, boosting her preparations for the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympics. compatriot Sofia Goggia fell during her run but appeared unhurt.
Federica Brignone, the reigning giant slalom world champion and a double overall World Cup winner, returned to competition at the Kronplatz resort in Italy after fracturing her left tibia and fibula in a crash at the Italian championships last April. The 35-year-old, who earned Olympic silver in 2022, approached the event as a physical test rather than a pursuit of top results ahead of the Milano Cortina Games starting February 6.
In the first run, Brignone started with bib number 13 and clocked a time 1.18 seconds behind leader Sara Hector of Sweden, who set the pace at one minute 13.54 seconds. Brignone expressed initial nerves but found her rhythm quickly. "I admit that when I put the poles outside the start hut I thought for a moment 'I don't know if I'm ready'," she told Italian reporters. "At first I was a bit stiff but I remembered to breathe after a few gates. With the adrenaline I didn't feel too much pain. I am so happy."
Earlier, on Monday, she had outlined her mindset: "I’m here to test my body, especially my leg. I’m definitely not here for a big result, but for a big result for myself. Just being able to race will already be a big success."
Other Italians performed solidly, with Lara Della Mea in 10th, Asja Zenere in 12th, and Alice Pazzaglia in 24th. Double Olympic medallist Sofia Goggia, another key hope for the home Olympics after her December super-G win, fell and slid out without apparent injury. Switzerland's Camille Rast was second, 0.15 seconds off Hector, followed by Austria's Julia Scheib in third at 0.39 behind. American Mikaela Shiffrin sat fourth, 0.89 seconds from the lead, heading into the second run.
