The golden "Fede": Everybody's Darling of the Ski World

Hardly any other skier is as popular in the skiing circus as Federica Brignone. Fans in Italy are at her feet, observers from other nations admire her. Even the competition at the Ski World Championships raves about her. A snapshot of the atmosphere from the finish area in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.

13. February 2025

From Saalbach-Hinterglemm

From:
Alexander Foppa

When Federica Brignone swung over the finish line on Thursday afternoon, a deep murmur went through the World Cup stadium. The other riders' jaws dropped. With an almost extraterrestrial appearance she has amazed the entire skiing world.

Brignone set a personal best in the first run of the World Cup giant slalom, which only Alice Robinson came close to - within 67 hundredths of a second. The New Zealander came out on top again in the deciding race, but Brignone was better again. She won this legendary duel with a lead of 90 hundredths. "That was an incredible race, I can only congratulate Fede," said a completely stunned Robinson at the finish.

The silver medalist's congratulations were joined by those of numerous competitors. It is obvious: the riders in the field are happy for the 34-year-old from the Aosta Valley - even though she has already won so much in her career. "Fede" is well received with her open, natural manner. She has no airs and graces and greets everyone with a smile on her face. Not only fans and journalists appreciate this, but also the other riders.

Goggia sees the gold ride in the hotel

Even the eccentric teammate and rival Sofia Goggia seems to have made peace with Brignone, even if she was one of the few who did not applaud politely at the finish. Goggia was completely unnerved after her exit in the first round was already in the team quarters when her long-time rival was crowned world champion.

"A lifelong dream comes true" Federico Brignone

Goggia will also be congratulating Brignone in the evening at the latest, when she returns to the Hotel "Die Sonne" in Saalbach with gold around her neck. "Yes, I think we'll toast today," beamed Brignone immediately after she had crowned her great career. The World Championship gold in her favorite discipline, the giant slalom, was all she had missed so far. "A lifelong dream has come true," said Brignone, who added: "Of course, in the starting house I thought that I was still missing this medal. The half-time lead increased the pressure a little more."

Federica Brignone skied faster than anyone else on the giant slalom slope. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

Despite the urge for gold, Brignone remained cool, very cool in fact. She skied down the Zwölferkogel in Hinterglemm as if on rails, and then put her hands in front of her face as she swung down. Afterwards she said: "At the finish I didn't know what to expect. I just wanted so much to see the green one on the scoreboard." And so it happened: The green one shone bright and clear - and with it the eyes of 11.000 fans in the stadium and of many, many riders who were waiting excitedly at the finish.