Austrian skier Julia Scheib is set to be a top contender in the giant slalom event at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Despite being the one to beat, defending overall World Cup champion Federica Brignone is making a comeback after being sidelined for nine months due to injury.
In the latest race, Scheib clinched her fourth giant slalom win of the season, moving up from third place after the initial run to finish in 2 minutes 19.85 seconds. She was followed closely by Camille Rast in second place with a time of 2:20.22, and defending Olympic champion Sara Hector in third with a time of 2:20.31.
American skier Mikaela Shiffrin, known for her prowess in giant slalom, secured the fourth spot with a time of 2:20.71, while Brignone finished in sixth place with a time of 2:21.08. Brignone expressed her joy at returning to racing after a challenging period of recovery and rehabilitation.
Val Grenier from St-Isidore, Ontario, was the top Canadian finisher in ninth place, while Britt Richardson from Canmore, Alberta, finished in 11th place. The victory in the race solidified Scheib’s lead in the giant slalom discipline standings, with a significant 139-point gap ahead of Rast.
Shiffrin, a dominant force in alpine skiing with 107 World Cup wins to her name, has not reached the podium in giant slalom for two years. Brignone, on the other hand, marked her return to competition after a leg injury that required surgery and extensive rehab.
Brignone, who aims to represent Italy at the upcoming Winter Olympics, will skip the next set of races in Czech Republic for additional training in Cortina d’Ampezzo. She is focused on regaining her confidence and form for the upcoming competitions.
Italian skier Sofia Goggia faced a setback in the race, failing to finish her first run. The anticipation is high for the Alpine Ski World Cup events leading up to the Winter Olympics in February, where top athletes like Scheib and Brignone will showcase their skills on the international stage.