Federica Brignone was overcome with emotion. © Screenshot

During a TV interview: Brignone bursts into tears

Federica Brignone's sensational comeback at Kronplatz stirred up a great deal of emotion. Afterwards, she herself was overcome by emotion.

20 January 2026

From: det

It's hard to imagine what the past few months have felt like for Federica Brignone. First, the World Championship title in giant slalom, then the overall World Cup victory – and finally, in a meaningless race after the World Cup season, the fateful crash that turned her sporting career, her life, upside down. Since then, the constant question has been: Can I make a comeback? Can I get back to my previous level of performance? Will I make it to the Olympics?

Well, Brignone has made it back – and how! On Tuesday, the 35-year-old from the Aosta Valley made her comeback at Kronplatz and He astonished the entire ski world with his 6th place finish in the giant slalom. The message is clear: Even if Brignone is still in pain, even if she only has a handful of days of skiing under her belt – she will be a force to be reckoned with at the Olympics.

Federica Brignone has made an impressive comeback. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

And yet, on that Tuesday, at the foot of the beautiful Erta slope, emotions eventually welled up in Brignone. When she went for an interview after the race with Eurosport Italy When she walked past her former teammate Francesca Marsaglia (now a TV pundit), the brave Fede was overcome with emotion. "I'm speechless at what you've achieved today, after having to go through so much," said Marsaglia – and with these words, Brignone burst into tears.



Marsaglia embraced the superstar, and touching scenes unfolded before the cameras. "It was very tough to come here with so few training days under my belt," Brignone finally said, her voice breaking. "I came here with a lot of uncertainty and wanted to get back into the game, and it was wonderful. After the first run, I was overcome with emotion, just like now." With tears in her eyes, she added at the end: "It's great to be back."