BOLZANO, Italy (AP) — Overall World Cup champion Federica Brignone will make her return to ski racing on Tuesday, nine months after a severe injury but she admits it’s still too early to say whether she will be able to compete in next month’s Winter Olympics.
Brignone broke multiple bones in her left leg in April, following what was the best season in her career.
After two surgeries and months of rehab, she returned to the snow in November. And the Italian confirmed on Monday that she would be at the start gate for the World Cup giant slalom in Kronplatz the following day — 292 days after her injury.
“For me it’s really fantastic to be here and to be competing tomorrow,” a clearly emotional Brignone said. “What better place than in Italy, at home, it’s a slope that I really like, it’s a race that I’ve always liked, obviously it certainly won’t be like other years.
“I’m not here to test myself, but to test my mind, my body, my leg above all. And I’m definitely not here for a great result, but for a great result for myself. It’s something special to already be here … being here is already a great success, so whatever happens will still be fantastic.”
Brignone, who hasn’t “had a day without pain” since the injury, said she had only spent 13 days serious training.
The 35-year-old has won a silver and two bronzes at the Olympics and these would be her fifth Games — if she returns in time.
“Probably I always believed, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” Brignone said. “But it’s still difficult. I think no athlete can say they will be at the Olympics until they put their poles out the start gate, in our sport especially, anything can happen … I still don’t know.
“When I put my giant slalom skis on, it was a disaster at the beginning. Then I tried again in December and it was only then that I began to see a bit of light.”
At 34 last season, Brignone became the oldest women’s winner in World Cup history — a record recently broken by 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn.
As well as the overall title, Brignone also won the downhill and giant slalom crystal globes last season, and was second in the super-G rankings.
She hopes to compete in all three at the Milan Cortina Games, where she will be one of Italy’s four flag bearers.
Brignone admitted in October that she didn't think she would “be able to get back to exactly how I was before.”
Women’s Alpine skiing at the Feb. 6-22 Olympics will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
What the Constitution Means to Me Read moreWhat The Constitution Means To Me
You're invited to our Sale Like a Celebrity event, hosted by Expedia Cruises. Join us at Rou… Read moreCelebrity Cruises Special Event
Join us for community fun! Free antique and collectible appraisals by Clars Auction. Over 30… Read moreMillbrae Senior Showcase
cube_corner said:
Mike Caggiano said:
Bravo Mjones, well said
Mike Caggiano said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.