Brignone: GEPA pictures
Brignone Discharged From Hospital After Season-Ending Injury
APRIL 8, 2025 — Federica Brignone, the standout of the 2024-25 Alpine World Cup season, left Milan’s “La Madonnina” clinic on Tuesday after a crash during the Italian National Championships giant slalom in Moena on April 3.
The 34-year-old Italian underwent major knee surgery. Doctors inserted a metal plate and screws to stabilize the bone and made a 40-centimeter incision to access the damage. The ACL tore in the fall, but the surgical team deferred repair due to the bone condition. They plan to evaluate the injury again in the coming months.
Season of dominance ends with injury
Brignone delivered one of the most dominant seasons in recent history. She captured three season titles—downhill, giant slalom and the overall—and won World Championship gold in giant slalom at Saalbach 2025. Her 10 2024-25 World Cup victories included five in giant slaloms, three in super-Gs, and two in downhills.
She chose to race at Nationals, a lower-profile event, to support the next generation. Her decision gave younger Italian athletes valuable access to the sport’s biggest star and reflected her strong leadership and deep commitment to Italian skiing.
“Not a quitter” as recovery begins
Speaking from the clinic before her discharge, Brignone said she felt overwhelmed by the support—and by the complexity of the treatment.
“I thought it was going to be a normal surgery,” she said. “But instead, what the doctors did was something very special. They had to make a 40-centimeter incision to insert a plate and screws and couldn’t even touch the ACL because the bone was too damaged. It wasn’t simple.”
Brignone credited the FISI medical team, led by Dr. Andrea Panzeri along with Riccardo Accetta and Gabriele Thiebat, for getting her through a difficult few days.
“It was five intense days, but I felt so much positive energy,” she said. “From the people around me, the doctors, my team—everyone gave me strength. Now we start working step by step. I begin physiotherapy Monday, and we’ll do a CT scan soon to check the bone. From there, we’ll decide what’s next.”
Brignone plans to attend the Italian Federation’s Media Day on April 14 in Milan, where she will celebrate her incredible season with fans and teammates. Despite the injury, she remains upbeat.
“From such a bad situation, there will be positive things,” she said. “I’m definitely not a quitter. I will live the next few months as positively and happily as possible.”
She has not yet confirmed a timeline for her return.
About the Author: SR Staff Report
