World Cup giant slalom

Women’s giant slalom in Sestriere – LIVE from 11am

Federica Brignone once again impressively dominated the competition.

(Bild: GEPA)

Federica Brignone impressively won the second women's giant slalom in Sestriere on Saturday. The Italian relegated Lara Gut-Behrami from Switzerland (+0.77) and Alice Robinson from New Zealand (+0.79) to the other places. The best ÖSV lady was Julia Scheib in fifth place (+1.61).

Italy's skiing ace Federica Brignone also took victory in the second World Cup giant slalom in Sestriere. The world champion came out on top on Saturday ahead of Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami (+0.77 sec.) and New Zealand's Alice Robinson (+0.79). Behind Sofia Goggia (ITA), who stormed forward from 17th place, Julia Scheib finished fifth (+1.61). Half-time third Britt Richardson from Canada was eliminated. A slalom is on the program on Sunday.

For Scheib, it was the tenth top ten finish of her career (all since November 2023) and her third-best result of the season. "I'm very happy, it wasn't easy. I fought well, that's a very good place," said the Styrian in the ORF TV interview. "It demands more than with good visibility. The first run was easier, the second was definitely a good performance."

Brunner bit down four times
Stephanie Brunner was 0.97 seconds behind in 14th place at the halfway point, but in the end it was +2.38 seconds, but she kept her place, partly due to others dropping out. "I got off to a good start, but just like in the first run, I lost the plot from the middle and made another mistake. That annoys me immensely." Mentally, it was difficult, she had to bite down four times, now she can rest. "I fought, but more would have been possible."

Stephanie Brunner

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Julia Scheib

(Bild: GEPA)

Katharina Liensberger opened the second run, she was 25th (+4.03) and did not manage a decisive improvement, which was a disappointment after 15th place the day before ("That was too good, I should have taken more risks"). However, the most important race of the week for the Vorarlberg native comes on Sunday with the slalom, in which she is a World Championship bronze medallist. "The slope is in great shape, the sun should be shining, so it's brilliant. It's great for me that there's no flat part and we can start straight into the steep part."

Rare experience for Shiffrin
US star Mikaela Shiffrin, who missed out on qualifying for the giant slalom final in 33rd place, also has to hope for the gate run. The last time this happened to the exceptional athlete in a World Cup race was in 2012, when Shiffrin was at the start of her career. The working day was also over for the ÖSV skiers Franziska Gritsch (38th), Nina Astner (43rd), Katharina Truppe (46th), Katharina Huber (50th) and Elena Riederer (retirement) after just one run.