Olympics despite horror injury?: Ski queen fights for big dream after tragic fall

Olympics despite horrific injury? Ski queen fights for big dream after tragic fall 25.10.2025, 07:03

Overall World Cup winner Federica Brignone is merely a spectator in Sölden. Will she be fit for the Winter Games in her home country? The Italian is struggling with the consequences of a tragic fall and her last major career dream.

Italian ski star Federica Brignone isn't giving up the fight for a place at the Winter Olympics in her home country. "It's my dream to be there," said the 35-year-old on the sidelines of the Alpine World Cup opening in Sölden this weekend. But how realistic is a participation in the season highlight in just over 100 days, given her serious injury? "I don't know," said Brignone. "I'm trying. I'm working really hard for it." So far, her rehab is going well. Nevertheless, the all-rounder will miss most of the season, possibly even the entire season.

It was tragic: Brignone had won the overall World Cup for the second time last winter and then seriously injured her knee shortly afterwards at the relatively unimportant national championships. The 37-time World Cup winner and reigning giant slalom world champion suffered multiple fractures of the tibial plateau and fibula, as well as a torn cruciate ligament, in her fall in Val di Fassa – a horrific diagnosis.

Brignone regrets nothing

However, she doesn't regret competing in the Italian Championships at all. Brignone explained in Sölden that she considers it important, if only because of her role model function for the younger generation. The Winter Games could be one of the last major highlights of her career. However, Brignone explained that she only wants to compete in the women's races in Cortina d'Ampezzo in February 2026 when she truly feels physically ready. She doesn't have to, she wants to – an important distinction.

Following Brignone's injury woes, the Italian team also had to cope with a setback for Marta Bassino. The 29-year-old, parallel world champion in Cortina just over four years ago, also seriously injured her knee in a training crash and will definitely miss the Olympic Games.