Federica Brignone: GEPA pictures
High Stakes for the Final Run in Sestriere
The first run set up a thrilling battle for the second run, with Alice Robinson leading after a powerful, aggressive performance. The World Championship silver medalist attacked the course, generating relentless speed to take the top spot. Just 0.19 seconds behind, Federica Brignone thrilled the home crowd, gaining crucial time in the final sector to position herself for a shot at victory.
Paula Moltzan, fresh off her World Championship bronze, sat in third, just 0.83 seconds back after an explosive start but losing time in the lower sections. Reigning Olympic champion Sara Hector was fourth, just over a second behind Robinson, keeping the podium fight wide open.
North Americans made a strong showing, with six U.S. skiers and two Canadians qualifying for the second run. Nina O’Brien, AJ Hurt, and Britt Richardson all placed inside the top 15, while Mikaela Shiffrin, returning to GS after injury, finished 18th, giving herself an early second-run start. Katie Hensien and Elisabeth Bocock also advanced, continuing a strong day for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.
With fast conditions and a tight leaderboard, the pressure was on. The second run would determine who could handle the intensity, push to the limit, and claim victory in Sestriere.
Brignone Dominates in Sestriere as Robinson and Stjernesund Join the Podium
With eight of the fastest skiers from the first run yet to race, 18-year-old Albanian sensation Lara Colturi held the lead. Nina O’Brien charged next, skiing aggressively and holding a green light for most of her run. However, she lost time in the final sector, crossing 0.42 seconds behind Colturi but securing another top-10 finish.
Britt Richardson, the 2024 World Junior Champion, followed, delivering a strong run but slotting into fifth, 0.51 behind Colturi, with the top six still to ski. Then, Croatian star Zrinka Ljutić delivered a focused, fast performance, taking the lead by 0.36 seconds, setting the stage for the final five.
The Battle for the Podium Begins
Norway’s Louise Stjernesund was the first of the top five to ski. She attacked the course with great timing and focus, carrying speed through the critical sections and taking the lead by 0.28 seconds over Ljutić.
“I’m so happy, and considering the two I have in front of me, they’ve been so strong this winter,” Stjernesund said after securing her podium. “Of course, I want to be on top, but this third place felt like a victory today.”
Reflecting on her approach, she credited Brignone’s fearless skiing as inspiration. “I’m super impressed by Fede. At World Champs, she skied the last run like it was the first, and today I thought, ‘I’m going to do that too.’”
Sweden’s Olympic champion Sara Hector, second in the season-long standings, was next. She built on her first-run advantage early, but small timing errors in the lower section cost her. She crossed into third place, leaving three skiers still to race.
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan skied much of the course in the green. She looked poised for another podium, but a mistake in the final sector cost her valuable time. She crossed in fourth, 0.44 seconds back, with only two skiers remaining.
Brignone Delivers for the Italian Crowd
Federica Brignone may be the fastest woman in the world right now, with World Cup wins in three disciplines this season. She attacked the course like a champion, skiing with absolute speed, control, and focus. She built her advantage at every interval, igniting the Italian crowd as she powered to the finish. She crossed the line 1.57 seconds ahead, all but guaranteeing victory.
“I didn’t have much energy today, so I focused on myself and tried to keep everything I had for the race. I knew if I put together two good runs, it was possible to win. In the second run, I worked on keeping my rhythm high before the flat section and arcing every single turn. The home crowd gave me incredible energy—I’m so grateful for their support!“ — Federica Brignone
Now, only Alice Robinson, the Kronplatz winner, stood between Brignone and the win. Robinson skied brilliantly, showing power and determination, but she could not match Brignone’s masterful performance. As she crossed the line 0.40 seconds back, the Italian crowd erupted—Federica Brignone had won in Sestriere once again.
“Fede stepped it up again, and I couldn’t match it,“ Alice Robinson admitted. “I’m a little disappointed I couldn’t hold onto the lead from the first run, but overall, I’m happy with my skiing—second place isn’t too much to complain about.”
Final Podium:
1st Federica Brignone (ITA)
2nd Alice Robinson (NZL) +0.40
3rd Louise Stjernesund (NOR) +1.57
click on images to enlarge
With this victory, Brignone now has 15 career World Cup GS wins, including her second triumph in Sestriere. Robinson secured her 15th career GS podium, reinforcing her status among the world’s best. Meanwhile, Stjernesund claimed her third career World Cup GS podium, marking another step forward for the Norwegian skier.
Early North American Action in the Second Run
The first North American to attack the course in the second run was Elisabeth Bocock of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. The junior skier showed impressive speed, carrying a green light advantage through the opening sections. However, in the third timing sector, she lost balance, falling to her inside ski and landing on her hip—ending her run and a chance at a career-best finish.
Immediately after, Katie Hensien took on the course, determined to deliver. The former University of Denver skier skied with confidence and aggression, maintaining focus where others faltered. She powered through the final gates, crossing the line in the lead, her face lighting up with joy as she continued her streak of scoring World Cup GS points.
After the first ten racers had completed their runs, there had only been two lead changes. Austria’s Stephanie Brunner held the top spot, ahead of Sweden’s Estelle Alphand, while Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener sat third with 20 racers still to come.
Shiffrin Struggles to Find Top Gear in Second Run
Skiing megastar Mikaela Shiffrin was the 13th skier to attack the second run, looking to climb the leaderboard after a challenging morning performance. While her positions were solid, her timing and confidence were not at their usual level. She skied well but lacked the aggression and precise timing needed to generate the power and clean execution required to challenge for the top spots. Her return to peak form remains a work in progress.
Shiffrin arrived at the finish to a loud ovation, but her time was well off the pace, leaving her outside podium contention. With the fastest half of the field still to come, the current leader was Austria’s Katharina Liensberger, followed closely by Slovenia’s Ana Bucik Jogan and Austria’s Stephanie Brunner.
Grenier Takes the Lead as the Race Heats Up
Canada’s number one, Valérie Grenier, had a much different experience than Shiffrin, delivering a powerful and aggressive second run that launched her into the lead by 0.48 seconds over Katharina Liensberger. Grenier attacked the course with speed and focus, handling the technical sections cleanly and gaining time in the final stretch.
With 20 skiers in the finish and only the fastest ten from the first run left at the start, the leaderboard was set for a dramatic finale. Austria’s Julia Scheib led the field, holding the top spot, while Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s AJ Hurt was close behind in second, just 0.12 back. Italy’s queen of speed, Sofia Goggia, sat in third, 0.18 behind Scheib, keeping the fight for top positions tight.
With the ten fastest skiers from the first run still to come, the race for the podium was far from over.
Looking Ahead: Another GS Battle in Sestriere
The women’s World Cup GS racers won’t have to wait long for another shot at victory, as they return to the same slope in Sestriere tomorrow for a second giant slalom race. With fast conditions and a challenging course, the competition is expected to be just as intense.
Federica Brignone will look to repeat her dominant performance, while Alice Robinson and Louise Stjernesund will aim to challenge for the top step. Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien, and AJ Hurt will also be looking to improve on their strong finishes, while Mikaela Shiffrin hopes to regain her form.
With valuable World Cup points on the line, expect another thrilling day of racing in Sestriere.
North Americans Strong in Sestriere
Five North Americans finished in the top 15, led by Paula Moltzan in sixth, down three spots.
“I’m really happy with today. Maybe I felt a little pressure coming off a World Champs medal in GS, but I’m proud to perform under that. Sixth place is not bad by any means, and the skiing is there—without the mistakes, it’ll be even better. Running in the top seven group for the first time was so special. The snow was incredible, and it felt more like training than race day. Big shoutout to the team for crushing it!” — Paula Moltzan
Nina O’Brien held steady in eighth, while Britt Richardson dropped to 11th. AJ Hurt finished 12th, down one, and Valérie Grenier moved up to 14th. Katie Hensien climbed six spots to 21st, while Mikaela Shiffrin fell to 25th.
“It feels great to be back in the top 10. My skiing felt solid, and while there were some mistakes on both runs, I put together two strong performances. Having six U.S. girls in the second run was so cool—it really shows what we’re capable of. I’m excited to build on this tomorrow, clean up some mistakes, and focus on carrying more speed onto the flats.” — Nina O’Brien
Though they missed the podium, it was a strong team performance in Sestriere.
Race Results with Analysis of the Fastest Three and North American Qualifiers
Click on images to enlarge
Analysis of the Fastest Three and North American Qualifiers
About the Author: Peter Lange
