The Alpine Skiing World Cup 2023/2024 season has witnessed a spectacular performance in the women’s Giant Slalom event in Tremblant, Canada. Federica Brignone, the talented Italian skier, showcased her prowess by converting her lead from the first run into a triumphant victory on Saturday, 2nd December.
Brignone’s Commanding Lead
In a thrilling competition, Brignone exhibited exceptional skill, holding off challenges from formidable contenders Petra Vlhova and Mikaela Shiffrin. Her initial advantage of 0.4 seconds in the first run proved to be the key to securing her first victory of the season.
Olympic Medalist Shines
As a three-time Olympic medallist, Brignone demonstrated her dominance in the standings after an impressive first descent, clocking an impressive 1:06.50, gaining an 0.11-second lead over giant slalom pace-setter Lara Gut-Behrami. This marked Brignone’s second podium finish of the season, solidifying her position among the elite.
Nail-Biting Second Run
The competition reached its peak in the second run, with Brignone facing the pressure to maintain her lead. Memories of a previous race in Austria, where she led after the first run only to lose to Gut-Behrami, loomed. However, Brignone maintained her composure, finishing with a total time of 2:14.95, claiming the top spot.
Gut-Behrami’s Standing and Brignone’s Pursuit
Despite Brignone’s success, Gut-Behrami, the winner of the first two giant slalom races, continues to lead the standings, with Brignone trailing by a mere 25 points. The Swiss star finished fifth in Canada, posting a time of 2:15.54, ensuring a tight competition for the top position.
Brignone’s Reflections
In a post-race interview with FIS, Brignone shared her thoughts on the challenging second run, stating, “I wasn’t feeling so great on the second run, and the snow was good, but I felt I was going slow, and I thought ‘you must push now.’” Her determination and love for the sport were evident as she expressed the joy of skiing the way she loves.
Vlhova and Shiffrin’s Pursuit
Petra Vlhova and overall World Cup leader Mikaela Shiffrin made a valiant effort to disrupt Brignone’s celebration. Posting the fastest times on the second run, Vlhova claimed second place, edging out Shiffrin by a mere 0.08 seconds. The intense rivalry between the two skiers continues to add excitement to the World Cup season.
Top 10 Results
Here are the results of the women’s Giant Slalom in Tremblant on Saturday, 2nd December:
- Federica Brignone (ITA) – 2:14.95
- Petra Vlhova (SVK) – 2:15.16
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) – 2:15.99
- Sara Hector (SWE) – 2:15.51
- Lara Gut-Behranimi (SUI) – 2:15.24
- Marta Bassino (ITA) – 2:15.99
- Sofia Goggia (ITA) – 2:15.99
- Valerie Grenier (CAN) – 2:16.80
- Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) – 2:17.19
- Clara Direz (FRA) – 2:17.30
Conclusion
In conclusion, Federica Brignone’s victory in the Tremblant Giant Slalom adds a captivating chapter to the Alpine Skiing World Cup 2023/2024 season. The competition, filled with intensity and skill, showcases the resilience of these world-class athletes as they strive for excellence on the slopes.