Bad blow for Italy, and especially for Federica Brignonein the last giant slalom before the world championships in Saallbach. And this right on the home slope, ”la Erta” or ”la Ripida” at Plan de Corones. While she was in the lead after the first heat, a very unlucky Federica Brignone had a real ‘derailment’ due to a gleaning shortly after the start of the decisive second heat. But already in the initial test the second striker of the Italian giants, the Piedmontese, had not participated Marta Bassinohit again by the flu. And immediately outside it was over Sofia Goggiathird point of the very strong trident of Italian gigantists. In short, it’s not always Sunday and you can’t always win, but it’s a very bitter cup that Brignone and her companions had to drink at Plan de Corones.
”If I were to start again, I would probably do the same race; I didn’t think that bump could unload me so much”, are Brignone’s words at the finish line to explain what happened. In reality, and this is demonstrated by the heavy slaps on the helmet that she gave herself after the ‘derailment’, Federica was very angry with herself. In fact, Lara Gut Behrami had also had problems before her in that passage, and the Swede Sara Hector had also exited, throwing the race away in turn.
”I’m sorry, because I’m skiing really well in giant slalom and it annoys me to go out like this. Today I was particularly keen and it’s hard to swallow. I have to cool off a bit, even though I know that these are things that happen in sport”, said Brignone at the end who, combative as always, immediately thinks about the next races: ”I want to immediately turn the page in Garmisch Partenkirchen”. Thus the victory – fourth in her career at 23 years old – went to the New Zealander Alice Robinson in 1.55.28 ahead of the Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami in 1.55.84 and to the American Paula Moltzan in 1.56.22. For Italy, in the last giant slalom in view of the next World Championships and which could decide, in addition to those of Federica Brignone, Sofia Goggia and Marta Bassino, the fourth place in the team, the best was the Friulian slalomist Lara Della Mea arrived 11th in 1.57.42, recovering eleven positions.
“I’m really having fun when I ski giant slalom”, was the post-race comment from this girl who thus achieved the best result of her career in this discipline. So it is to be believed that she will be the fourth Italian in giant slalom in Albachiara. Then in the rankings also the Lombardian Ilaria Ghisalberti 23rd in 1.58.81 and the Venetian Asja Zenere 24th in 1.58.96. The world cup now leaves Italy and goes to Germany, to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with an appointment on the famous Kandahar track. Downhill and Super are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, races in which Brignone can further consolidate its lead in the overall Cup ranking, even if it won’t be easy. Federica is still in the lead with 639 points, but immediately behind her is the stainless Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami with 584. Lara – reigning holder of the world cup – is someone who never gives up and with an enviable list of successes, very good in giant slalom but even better in fast races. On the Bavarian snows of Garmisch Federica Brignone will therefore have to pull out the claws of the tiger that she has painted on her helmet and which identifies her.