Brignone's setback and Shiffrin's triple chance

At the World Cup in Sestriere, all eyes are on Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone. There are clear reasons for this.

20. February 2025

From: dl

In the overall World Cup, Brignone has a lead of 70 points over Lara Gut-Behrami and wants to win the big crystal globe for the second time this year. Brignone will be competing in the giant slalom double in Sestriere as world champion, but with four races remaining in this discipline she has 100 points to make up on the New Zealand World Cup runner-up Alice Robinson. The second-placed Swede Sara Hector is only four points behind.

After her world championship title a week ago, Brignone suffered a setback: "I got sick immediately afterwards. Today, Thursday, I left the house for the first time. I don't feel great yet, but I'm looking forward to racing in front of my own fans," said the Italian. Brignone's health raises questions.

Is Mikaela Shiffrin celebrating her 100th World Cup victory? © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

Twelve weeks later, however, Mikaela Shiffrin is making three more attempts at her 100th World Cup victory. Since her retirement and injury on November 30 while leading the Killington giant slalom, the US star only competed in the World Cup on January 30 in the slalom in Courchevel, but was not yet able to win again and ultimately finished tenth. Two World Cup appearances and a gold medal later, there are two giant slaloms and a slalom in Sestriere. Click here for the Italian squad.