Federica Brignone / GEPA pictures
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Federica Brignone is back on skis in Cortina d’Ampezzo and on track for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 as she continues her comeback from a serious leg injury.
Now 35, Brignone has resumed on-snow training on the Tofane slopes. She carries the momentum of a historic season. She enters this Olympic year as last season’s overall World Cup champion and the reigning downhill and giant slalom globe winner.
Brignone has not raced since April 2025, when she fractured her left tibia and fibula at the Italian Nationals. After months of rehabilitation, she has shifted her focus to rebuilding race speed and confidence. She is doing so on the same terrain that will host the women’s Olympic alpine events.
Confidence in the comeback, caution in the process
Brignone’s brother and coach Davide Brignone said the team remains confident she will reach the Olympic start gate.
“As things stand, we’re certain Federica will be on the start line at the Olympic races,” Davide Brignone said. “Everything else will be evaluated day by day, as it has been over the past nine months.”
He stressed that the comeback still requires patience and discipline. Some knee discomfort remains part of the recovery process.
“Federica will need to be able to go beyond the pain if she wants to really aim for something at the Games,” he said. “In sport there are no shortcuts. We can only do everything properly and see how it develops.”
Racing before the Games remains an open question
Italy’s women’s alpine leadership continues to weigh whether Brignone should race before the Olympics. Another option would limit her return to training and testing.
A late-January return to Cortina with the speed group would allow her to assess the Olympic courses. The sessions would mirror race conditions.
One option would see Brignone ski as a forerunner rather than start officially. That approach would provide valuable feedback. It would also preserve her protected ranking for next season.
Maintaining protected status would keep Brignone among the top starters in downhill, super-G, and giant slalom next winter. Even so, her camp does not view a deeper start position as a barrier. Proven champions such as Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin rebuilt seeding quickly after their own returns.
Olympic focus on home snow
If Italy’s Olympic committee selects her, Brignone plans to target three races in Cortina: downhill, super-G, and giant slalom. The program reflects the versatility that powered her to three World Cup titles last season.
A three-time Olympic medallist, Brignone won giant slalom silver at PyeongChang 2018. She added bronze medals in giant slalom and alpine combined at Beijing 2022. Racing at Cortina d’Ampezzo would give her a rare chance to chase another Olympic podium on home snow.
A realistic mindset from a proven champion
Brignone addressed the challenge directly during the same press conference. She framed her comeback with characteristic honesty.
“I’ll never be the same as before,” Brignone said. “But I can try to get the maximum from what my leg allows. That’s my objective.”
At 35, fresh off one of the most complete seasons of her career, Brignone is not chasing nostalgia. She is chasing opportunity. Her return to snow in Cortina keeps one of alpine skiing’s most accomplished champions squarely in the Olympic conversation as Milano Cortina 2026 approaches.
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