Federica Brignone: Summer Is for Summer Things

Featured images provided by Federica Brignone

Italian Federica Brignone, who turned 34 on July 14th, is among the most successful and longest-serving active female skiers. Even though it’s summer, many national teams are taking advantage of the good snow conditions on European glaciers. Ski Racing Media asked Brignone if she is also skiing this summer.

“For me, summer is for doing summer things, not winter things. I skied until mid-April. We had a great speed camp with the men’s team in Santa Caterina. I also participated in Alpine Park, an exhibition slalom format hosted by Clément Noël; it was fun.

My teammates went to Les Deux Alpes in late May, but it was too early for me; I preferred to train physically. I never skied on glaciers as a kid either. How you utilize your training days matters more than how many you do. At the end of the winter, the extra skiing appearances add up quickly. I prefer to commit to those and then suspend skiing and train physically at home in the Aosta Valley.

I will be back on skis toward the end of August. First, we plan to do a few days of free skiing on a European glacier close to home. The purpose of those glacier days is to get the best start for the training block we’ll do in South America right after that.”

Passion for the Sea

One of Federica’s passions is the sea, and her interest in nature has led her to get involved in environmental projects.

“I love the sea. I was in the Philippines this year, surfing almost every day. I really enjoy it, like other water sports. I was also in Sardinia, where I did some kite surfing. Like every year, I’ve been involved in an environmental project. We cleaned up a pine forest, an activity coordinated with one of my sponsors.”

However, her time at the sea ended quickly: “Now I’m at home, in Valle D’Aosta, doing downhill mountain biking and hanging out with friends, as well as, of course, devoting myself to physical training.”

“I Will Go On As Long As I Feel Like It”

Born in 1990, Brignone was the first female skier to win a GS World Cup at age 33. However, she had previously considered ending her career.

“In the summer of 2022, I had convinced myself that the next season would be my last. I only told my brother (coach) and my serviceman, Mauro ‘Sbarde’ Sbardellotto. With COVID, I couldn’t take it anymore. By the end of the season, I was exhausted. That summer, I also had some problems. I had started the season poorly.

But things got better. I had a lot of fun, still had that motivation, and was competitive. So, I changed my mind at the 2023 World Cup Finals in Andorra, realizing retiring would be stupid.

I decided not to think about a date for the end of my career. I’m continuing without thinking about it, but with the freedom to quit the day I no longer feel like competing. The time will come when I no longer feel that fire inside, the urge to make the next turn faster than the last. It could happen anytime, summer or fall. It doesn’t have to correspond to the end of the racing season. It’s a mistake to say one or two more seasons.”

Her Best Season Ever

Retiring would have been a shame and a mistake, considering how things went for her in 2023/2024.

“Last summer, I trained well but enjoyed the moment without stress. Beginning at the Argentina camp, I immediately skied great; I was calm and fit. I was confident, I had confidence in my skiing, and I always did what I wanted. However, in January, I made some mistakes because of head issues, specifically pressure, and the results were worse.

Mont-Tremblant was crazy. I won two days in a row for the first time despite the lousy weather conditions, feeling incredible emotions. Last winter, I often managed to pull out a little bit more just when the conditions were difficult, with the weather and the snow, like in Kvitfjell or at the Finals. It was a very satisfying season. What I did and how I faced things made me proud.”

Italy’s most decorated female skier claimed 1581 World Cup points, an Italian record (as are her 27 WC victories). She finished on the podium 13 times in 39 races, clinching six wins, five seconds, and two third-place finishes. She also finished second in the 2024 season Overall, GS, and Super-G standings.

“The records are a credit to me, but I ski to experience emotions. I’m interested in expressing myself 100 percent, which is why I’ve been better in the last few years than before. We have created a situation where I can enjoy it. Skiing this well is really difficult, especially with everyone’s expectations. When you succeed, the satisfaction is even greater. I always think it is impossible, but then I surprise myself. It is hard to do it that day, at that time. I think our sport is really hard.”

A Combination of Things

We asked her what allowed her to be so competitive for so long and if she had any secrets to share.

“I think it’s a combination. I have so much passion. I’ve always skied for myself. I have loved the sport from the first time I put on skis. I’m a competitor. I love competition, and putting myself out there and doing something difficult is satisfying.

You also have to be healthy, without injuries.

Diverse Athletic Background

As a child, my parents allowed me to play many sports. I learned a lot and developed movement skills in all areas. I learned to fall and move on all terrains, even in powder snow.

I went through the natural stages of growing up. My life was normal as a child and teenager, and I became a professional only as an adult. I started late doing boring things. Maybe I wouldn’t be here if I had done them earlier, at 15. I definitely wouldn’t have been ready to face all the responsibilities, the extra ski activities, etc.

I progressed steadily in all fields.

Physically, I never forced it. I never did specific physical training until I entered the National Team and never lifted weights until I was 20. I also participated in other sports, including skating, artistic gymnastics, and climbing. These things allowed me to know myself and how to move in all situations.

When I was young, I only skied powder and never in the gates, but I learned good skiing techniques, focusing more on the aesthetic side than the time or result side.

It took many years, and now you can see the fruits, but it was a lot of work.”

This journey has undoubtedly worked for Brignone, who will start the 2024/2025 season as one of the podium favorites after achieving her first World Cup podium in 2009/2010.