Federica Brignone wins the first round of the Semmering giant! The Italian is just ahead of Lara Gut-Behrami and Sara Hector. A performance that puts her back in the race for the big crystal globe. The fight promises to be intense in the second round…
Italian skier Federica Brignone delivered a remarkable performance this Saturday during the first round of the giant slalom in Semmering in Austria, counting for the Alpine Skiing World Cup. Starting with bib No. 6, the double Olympic giant medalist flew through this first round, relegating her main competitors by several tenths.
Lord Brignone, Gut-Behrami and Hector en ambuscade
On a perfectly prepared track despite recent snowfall, Federica Brignone showed off her technique and power to set the best time in 1min06s15. She is ahead of the Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami of 15 hundredths and the Swedish Sara Hector by 24 hundredths.
Behind this trio, the gaps are already significant since the 4th, the American Mikaela Shiffrin, is almost a second behind (95 hundredths). A significant margin halfway through which places Brignone in an ideal position before the second round scheduled for 1 p.m.
I am really satisfied with this first round. I skied well, aggressively and precisely. We will have to confirm secondly but I am confident.
Federica Brignone
Looking for a 2nd victory this season
Aged 32, Federica Brignone already has 20 World Cup victories including 7 in giant slalom. After an inaugural success at the end of October in Sölden, she is aiming for a second victory this season which would allow her to put herself back in the race for the specialty crystal globe.
Currently 2nd in the giant’s ranking behind Lara Gut-Behrami, the Italian can take advantage of the absence of Marta Bassino, injured, to score valuable points. A victory at Semmering would even allow him to take the lead in the discipline at mid-season.
Tessa Worley in difficulty, French women retarded
On the French side, this first round is disappointing. The best Frenchwoman, Tessa Worley, is only in 9th place at 1s79. An insufficient result for the double giant world champion who is going through a difficult time this winter.
Her compatriots are even further away, since Coralie Frasse Sombet is 16th at 2s40 and Clarisse Brèche 30th at 4s09. It will take a great second round to hope to enter the top 10.
Shiffrin for a new podium?
Big favorite at each start, the American Mikaela Shiffrin had a complicated first round. Despite a few mistakes, she limited the damage by taking 4th place, 95 hundredths behind Brignone.
I didn’t take all the risks. I know I have a margin in the second run if I ski at my best level. The objective will be to get back on the podium.
Mikaela Shiffrin
Already victorious six times this season, Shiffrin will be keen to react to achieve a 77th World Cup success. But the task promises to be difficult against an intractable Federica Brignone on this giant from Semmering.
The second round promises to be indecisive and exciting. The best skiers will have to assume their rank to hope to win against tough competition. Show starts at 1 p.m.!
