Industry News
Federica Brignone, the Italian reigning World Cup champion, has begun her recovery after a severe crash during the Italian National Championships on April 3, reports SRF.ch. The 34-year-old sustained multiple fractures to her left leg, including a comminuted tibial plateau fracture and a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), requiring emergency surgery in Milan.
A video of her crash is below (not for the squeamish!)
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The accident occurred during the second run of the women’s giant slalom in Val di Fassa, where Brignone straddled a gate after setting the fastest time in her opening run. She was airlifted to Trento for initial treatment before undergoing surgery the same day at Milan’s La Madonnina clinic. Doctors stabilized her injuries with a metal plate and screws but deferred ACL repair due to extensive bone damage.
“I thought it was going to be a normal surgery. But what the doctors did was extraordinary. They minimized waiting times and avoided complications, which was crucial,” Brignone told reporters upon her discharge on April 8.
Brignone’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, but she will begin post-surgery rehabilitation next week. Medical experts estimate it will take at least 45 days before determining when she might return to training. With just 10 months until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, her participation in the home Games is now in question.
Despite the setback, Brignone remains optimistic. “I’m not someone who gives up,” she said. “Everything in life happens for a reason.”
The injury marks an abrupt end to arguably her most successful season yet. Brignone clinched four World Cup titles this season—overall, downhill, super-G, and giant slalom—and earned gold at the World Championships in Saalbach, Austria. She also became the oldest woman to win a World Cup race and secured 10 victories across three disciplines.
Brignone’s decision to compete at Nationals reflected her commitment to supporting young Italian skiers, but it came at a high cost. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt as Italy prepares for its first Winter Olympics on home soil since Torino 2006.
As she begins her recovery journey, Brignone plans to attend an Italian Winter Sports Federation media event on April 14 to celebrate her remarkable season with fans and teammates.
