Federica Brignone was unbeatable. © APA / GEORG HOCHMUTH

On South Tyrolean tracks: Brignone performs magic on the Magic Mountain

Federica Brignone is in outstanding form. On Saturday, the Italian took victory in Semmering – following in South Tyrolean footsteps.

28 December 2024

From: det

There are not many World Cup locations where superstar Federica Brignone has not yet been on the podium in her career, especially in her specialty discipline, the giant slalom. But the Magic Mountain in Semmering, this place has been like a bewitched place for the Aostan. Brignone had never made it into the top 3 on the challenging slope in Lower Austria - until Saturday. That's when the 34-year-old really came out on top and not only made it onto the podium, but also took the win.

This marks the end of a long dry spell. The last time there was an azure blue success on the Semmering was in December 2002 - and it bore the signature of a South Tyrolean. Karen Putzer from Welschnofen was unbeatable on the Magic Mountain 22 years ago to the day, when Denise Karbon from Kastelruth also finished third on the podium. Now Brignone is following in South Tyrolean footsteps and has put an end to her long lack of success in the Austrian spa town.

Karen Putzer was the last Azzurra to win at Semmering in December 2002. © AFP / PASCAL GEORGE

The Aostanian was already in the lead in the first run, but Lara Gut-Behrami and Sara Hector were hot on her heels. While a big mistake in the deciding round proved fatal for Gut-Behrami, Hector finished with a strong run. But Brignone was not put off by this, underlined her strong form with a gala performance and ultimately took the win with a lead of more than half a second. It was her 29th in the World Cup. This meant that the Italian grabbed the red jersey of the overall World Cup leader.

A triumph that was still missing

"I was missing this victory here. I really wanted to win here," said Brignone in an interview with ORF. In addition to winner Brignone and second-placed Hector, Alice Robinson, who came in third, was also beaming. Marta Bassino also achieved a strong result with seventh place, while the only South Tyrolean at the start did not have a successful experience. Elisa Platino clearly missed out on making it into the top 3 in the first round.

On Sunday, the event continues at Semmering with a slalom. The first run starts at 10.30:XNUMX a.m.