LA THUILE, Italy — Federica Brignone took a significant step towards capturing the women’s overall World Cup title by triumphing in a super-G event on Friday. This victory has propelled the Italian skier to a commanding lead in the season’s rankings.
Brignone has widened the gap over her closest competitor, Lara Gut-Behrami, who currently holds the title of defending champion. With just four races remaining at the World Cup finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, Brignone’s lead has ballooned to 382 points.
While a race win contributes 100 points, Gut-Behrami’s reluctance to participate in slalom races may hinder her chances. If she opts out of this event at the finals, the Swiss skier will only compete in three races, a disadvantage too great to close the gap.
“It’s unbelievable, and accomplishing this here, near my hometown, is even more incredible,” Brignone exclaimed. She expressed her joy after securing her victory in a region close to her roots in the Aosta Valley. “Ever since the season began, I aspired to win in La Thuile. It was a dream for my career that I couldn’t let go unfulfilled. I feel immensely proud.”
Brignone previously claimed the prestigious big crystal globe in 2020. It was a season when she surpassed five-time champion Mikaela Shiffrin after the American took a break following her father’s passing.
“I wanted to experience that thrill again,” Brignone reflected. “It was one of the dreams I cherished as a child.”
On Friday, Brignone narrowly defeated her teammate Sofia Goggia for the victory in the second-last super-G race of the season. She highlighted her desire to succeed before her local supporters, marking the achievement as a major milestone.
The race concluded with an extremely close finish. Goggia led initially but lost crucial time in the final segment of her run, finishing a mere 0.01 seconds behind Brignone. Romane Miradoli claimed third place, standing at 0.05 seconds behind, marking her first podium finish in over a year.
In the broader context, the race has set up an intense competition for the super-G season title. Brignone has now moved five points ahead of Gut-Behrami, with only one significant race remaining on March 23rd at the finals.
Emma Aicher, Thursday’s super-G winner, was on track to replicate her success. Unfortunately, the German skier skied off course midway through her run, despite being ahead by nearly three-tenths of a second at the time.
Reflecting on the wider scene, veteran skier Lindsey Vonn emerged as the best American performer, finishing 13th. Despite a previous fall, Vonn has qualified for both downhill and super-G events at the finals. Returning to competition after a six-year hiatus, Vonn has described her season as a series of highs and lows, achieving two top-10 placements from 12 races.
“When it comes to super-G, I feel like it’s my strongest discipline,” Vonn noted. However, she admitted to struggling with inconsistency, often altering her equipment in search of optimal performance. “Finding the right balance is key,” the former four-time overall champion added.
Planning an exit strategy, Vonn hopes to race another season and compete at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics before retiring for a second time. “Training and time are crucial. My focus remains on next year,” she stated. She acknowledged her efforts to secure a favorable starting position to maximize her chances in the upcoming season.
On a related note, Vonn’s compatriot, Lauren Macuga, stood 19th. Macuga recently earned a bronze medal at the world championships.
