Federica Brignone back to winning ways in Semmering giant slalom
The Italian went top of the overall World Cup standings with victory in Austria by over half a second from Olympic champion Sara Hector and Alice Robinson.
Alpine Skiing
Federica Brignone scored her second giant slalom win of the 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season at Semmering, Austria on Saturday (28 December).
The Italian veteran extended her own record as the oldest women's World Cup race winner, which she set in the season-opener at Sölden, with a superb display. The 34-year-old was quickest on the first run and second fastest on a second descent despite one significant error at the start of the bottom section.
Sweden's reigning Olympic champion Sara Hector was 0.54 behind in second with Alice Robinson of New Zealand in third place. Brignone's 29th World Cup win saw her overhaul Camille Rast at the top of the overall standings with the Swiss finishing down in 17th.
Brignone, who failed to finish the last giant slalom in Killington, told FIS afterwards, "It was not easy, the second run, but the slope was amazing. Actually it's my first podium here in Semmering. I really wanted it and I'm so happy. I felt really good today, I wanted to fight and I was not too stressed, so I'm happy."
Lara Gut-Behrami was challenging for a podium finish, but lost over a second when she hit a gate hard on the top section. The Swiss star ended up in ninth place.
Valerie Grenier of Canada had her best result of the season in fourth with Paula Moltzan the top U.S. skier in fifth as Mikaela Shiffrin remains on the sidelines following her Killington crash.
Julia Scheib delighted the home fans with the fastest second run of anyone, propelling her up the order from 13th. She held top spot until Robinson, sixth after the first run, took over by four-tenths of a second. Scheib eventually finished in sixth.
Rast will have the chance to regain her overall World Cup lead on Sunday in the Semmering slalom.
Semmering, 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup: Results from women's giant slalom, 28 December 2024 (top 10):
- Federica Brignone (ITA) 2:03.14
- Sara Hector (SWE) +0.57
- Alice Robinson (NZL) +0.90
- Valerie Grenier (CAN) +0.94
- Paula Moltzan (USA) +1.11
- Julia Scheib (AUT) +1.30
- Marta Bassino (ITA) +1.33
- Zrinka Ljutic (CRO) +1.44
- Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) +1.83
- Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) +2.08