Federica Brignone Wins Downhill World Cup in St. Anton, Celebrates 30th Career Victory

Federica Brignone Secures Historic Win at St. anton World Cup

Italian skiing sensation Federica Brignone etched her name in the history books on Saturday, clinching her 30th career victory at the World Cup event in St. Anton, Austria. This triumph marked her first-ever win in the prestigious alpine discipline, further solidifying her reputation as one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes.

Brignone narrowly outpaced Swiss skier Malorie Blancová by a razor-thin margin of just seven hundredths of a second on the demanding Karl Schranz slope. Czech competitor Ester Ledecká secured third place, finishing 0.18 seconds behind the champion.

Reflecting on her performance, Brignone saeid, It wasn’t easy today. I didn’t drive an ideal ride, the snow was difficult to handle. I tried to be relaxed and aggressive simultaneously, and I’m really proud of the result. This victory also made her the first Italian skier to win in four different disciplines, a testament to her versatility and skill.

Blancová, who started wiht bib number 46, delivered an remarkable run, briefly leading at the third split before narrowly missing the top spot. Simultaneously occurring, Ledecká celebrated her first podium finish as March of the previous year, showcasing her resilience and determination.

The event also marked the return of American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn, who competed in her second race after a six-year hiatus.Vonn finished sixth, just 58 hundredths of a second behind Brignone. It was fun. I’m glad to be back at the start. I feel a little more confident and comfortable in the downhill than in the super-G. But I made a few mistakes. I know I can be faster, but I think it was pretty good for the first downhill race in six years, Vonn shared with eurosport.

Despite the challenging course and unpredictable snow conditions, Brignone dominated from the outset, maintaining her lead throughout the race. This victory marked her third win of the season, further cementing her position as a top contender in the World Cup standings.

Other notable performances included Croatian skier Zrinka Ljutičová retaining her lead in the overall World Cup rankings, while Austria’s Cornelia Hütter continued her dominance in the downhill classification, finishing seventh in St. Anton.

The competition resumes on sunday with the women’s super-G event, scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. local time.Fans and athletes alike are eager to see if Brignone can maintain her momentum and add another victory to her already extraordinary record.

Current world Cup Standings

Overall ranking (after 13 out of 34 competitions):

Downhill Ranking (after 2 out of 8 competitions):

– Given Brignone’s versatility across multiple disciplines, what makes her downhill performance especially extraordinary?

Exclusive Interview: Insights from a Skiing Expert on Federica Brignone’s Historic St. Anton Victory

Meet Our Alex Reed: Marco Rossi,Former Alpine Skiing Coach and Analyst

Today,we’re joined by Marco Rossi,a former alpine skiing coach and current analyst for Eurosport,to discuss Federica Brignone’s historic win at the St. Anton World Cup. With over 20 years of experience in the sport, Marco provides unique insights into Brignone’s performance, the competition, and what this victory means for the future of alpine skiing.

Q: Marco, Federica Brignone just secured her first-ever downhill victory in St. Anton. What does this win mean for her career?

marco Rossi: This is a monumental moment for Federica. Winning in the downhill discipline is incredibly challenging, and to do it at a venue like St. Anton, with its demanding karl Schranz slope, is a testament to her skill and versatility. This victory not only marks her 30th World Cup win but also makes her the first Italian skier to win in four different disciplines. It solidifies her legacy as one of the most versatile and accomplished athletes in alpine skiing history.

Q: Brignone narrowly beat malorie Blancová by just 0.07 seconds. How crucial was her strategy in such a tight race?

Marco Rossi: Strategy is everything in downhill skiing, especially on a course like St. Anton.Federica’s ability to balance aggression with composure was key. She mentioned that the snow conditions were tricky, but she managed to stay relaxed and focused.That split-second difference often comes down to mental strength and precision, and Federica demonstrated both brilliantly.

Q: What stood out to you about Malorie Blancová’s performance, especially starting with bib number 46?

Marco Rossi: Malorie’s run was nothing short of remarkable. Starting late in the race, she had to contend with deteriorating snow conditions, yet she delivered a near-perfect performance. She briefly led at the third split, wich shows her potential. at just 21 years old, she’s already proving to be a formidable competitor. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of her in the future.

Q: Lindsey Vonn made her return to competitive skiing after a six-year hiatus. what are your thoughts on her performance?

Marco Rossi: Lindsey’s return is a huge moment for the sport. Finishing sixth, just 0.58 seconds behind Brignone,is impressive for someone who’s been away for so long. She mentioned feeling more confident in downhill than in super-G, and I think her performance reflects that. It’s clear she still has the talent and drive to compete at the highest level. Her presence adds an exciting dynamic to the competition.

Q: Federica brignone is now a top contender in the world Cup standings. can she maintain this momentum throughout the season?

Marco Rossi: Absolutely. Federica is in amazing form this season,with three wins already under her belt. Her ability to adapt to different disciplines gives her a meaningful advantage. However, the competition is fierce, with athletes like Zrinka Ljutičová and Cornelia Hütter also performing exceptionally well. It’s going to be an exciting season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Federica adds more victories to her record.

Q: what does this race tell us about the future of women’s alpine skiing?

Marco Rossi: This race highlights the incredible depth of talent in women’s alpine skiing. From seasoned champions like Federica and Lindsey to rising stars like Malorie Blancová, the sport is in great hands. The level of competition is higher than ever, and it’s thrilling to see athletes pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.I think fans can look forward to many more historic moments in the years to come.

Thought-Provoking Question for Readers:

What do you think sets Federica Brignone apart from other skiers? Is it her versatility, her mental strength, or something else? share your thoughts in the comments below!