Federica Brignone leads the women’s giant slalom at the World Cup finals after the first run as the Italian keeps the pressure on standings leader Lara Gut-Behrami. Trailing Gut-Behrami by 95 points, Brignone must win the season-ending race and hope her Swiss rival does not finish in the top 15. Gut-Behrami avoided risks in her run and finished 1.
Italy’s Federica Brignone competes during the first run of an alpine ski, women’s World Cup giant slalom race, in Saalbach, Austria, Sunday, March 17, 2024. Italy’s Federica Brignone competes during the first run of an alpine ski, women’s World Cup giant slalom race, in Saalbach, Austria, Sunday, March 17, 2024. Switzerland’s Lara Gut Behrami competes during the first run of an alpine ski, women’s World Cup giant slalom race, in Saalbach, Austria, Sunday, March 17, 2024.
That result would see the Swiss star secure not only the GS, but also the World Cup overall title, crowning a consistent season in which she has had eight wins and finished outside the top six just three times.“I have no chance, I’m only here to show my best skiing,” Brignone told Austrian TV. “I feel very well on my GS skis, training went very well, so I tried everything and only thought about my skiing.
Brignone was briefly slowed after a mistake halfway through her all-attacking run but still finished well ahead of the field, with runner-up Theo Louise Stjernesund of Norway 0.48 seconds behind.