Federica Brignone is the leader of Italy's ski team. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

The special spirit in Italy's ski team

Federica Brignone got off to a dream start - from the Azzurre's point of view - with her opening victory in Sölden. The fans at the Rettenbachferner were over the moon and celebrated "Fede" loudly. If you have watched Italy's women's team in recent years, the good atmosphere and the many successes are certainly no coincidence.

26 October 2024

From: dl

By David Lechthaler – From Sölden

There are always frictions in sport, such as the one between Brignone and Sofia Goggia a few years ago. The differences at that time are now considered to have been resolved. Otherwise, the Italian women's team has stood out in recent years - even from afar - for its good mood. In Sölden we followed this up close and paid particular attention to it.

If you take the giant slalom team, Brignone and Marta Bassino stand out. They are the clear leaders of the group, also due to their successes in the past. After both of them had finished the first run on Saturday, they always had their eyes on the scoreboard in the finish area, even when they had to answer questions in the many interviews.

Roberta Melesi, Federica Brignone and Elisa Platino (from left) before the race in Sölden. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

Brignone and Bassino literally “suffer” with their teammates at the finish. Sölden winner At 34 years old, she is something like the mother in the team. That is why she said with a smile at the team presentation on Friday: "Thank God Marcel Hirscher is coming back, then I won't be the oldest in the ski circus anymore." You can tell that Brignone is serious about her teammates. It is not for nothing that she is so popular. "She is even more of a child than us youngsters, but she gives us a lot of advice," explained Elisa Platinum across from SportNews.

Bassino and Brignone with special role

But team spirit doesn't come out in good times. Then there are enough back-slappings. For example, Roberta Melesi was close to tears in the finish area after her botched first run. Bassino talked to the 28-year-old for what felt like minutes and tried to calm her down. After the second run, when she herself slipped out of the top 10, Bassino was disappointed and was caught at the finish by Melesi, Platino & Co.

A catchment area for her teammates: Marta Bassino. © Pentaphoto

After "Fede's" fabulous run, there was no stopping her. Not only the 15.800 fans in Sölden (never before have there been so many at a women's race) celebrated Brignone, but also her colleagues. At the finish line, she did her self-called "chicken dance." Brignone said afterwards: "That was a bet with Asja Zenere. I had to do it if I was going to get on the podium today." Further proof that the team works well. And a good spirit can move mountains in sport.