Federica Brignone delivered a commanding performance to claim gold in the women’s Giant Slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, securing her second gold medal of the Games on the iconic Tofane slopes in her hometown.
The Italian star, racing under immense home-crowd pressure, posted a combined two-run time of 2:13.50 to finish 0.62 seconds ahead of the field. Sweden’s Sara Hector and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund tied for silver with identical times of 2:14.12 in both runs—an extraordinary statistical rarity that resulted in two silver medals being awarded and no bronze.
Brignone’s victory caps a stunning comeback story: just 10 months after suffering a severe leg injury in April 2025 that included fractures, a knee dislocation, and ligament damage, the 35-year-old “Snow Tiger” returned to elite competition in January and has now become one of Italy’s most celebrated alpine skiers with this double-gold haul.
In a heartfelt display of sportsmanship, Hector and Stjernesund approached Brignone in the finish area after the race, dropped to their knees, and bowed in respect to the dominant champion. The gesture quickly went viral, symbolizing the mutual admiration among the top athletes.
Hector, the defending Olympic champion in the discipline, and Stjernesund, earning her first individual Olympic medal, expressed joy at sharing the podium. “It’s beautiful to share this with Sara and Federica—two athletes I admire so much,” Stjernesund said. Hector added that the tie felt like a fitting end to an intense battle.
The race featured tight margins throughout, with Brignone building her lead in the first run (1:03.23) and holding strong in the second (1:10.27). American Mikaela Shiffrin finished 11th, while Italy’s Lara Della Mea placed fourth (+0.67 seconds), just off the podium.
Brignone’s triumph on home snow has electrified Italian fans and the global alpine community, highlighting resilience, precision, and the magic of Olympic competition.
A truly unforgettable day in Cortina—history made with gold, shared silver, and unforgettable respect.
