Federica Brignone won his second giant slalom victory in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2024/25 season in Semmering, Austria, on Saturday (December 28).
The Italian veteran extended her own record as the oldest female World Cup winner, which she set at the season opener in Sölden, with a superb performance. The 34-year-old was fastest in the first run and second in a second descent despite a significant error at the start of the lower section.
Sweden, reigning Olympic champion Sarah Hector was 0.54 behind in second with Alice Robinson from New Zealand in third place. Brignone's 29th World Cup victory saw a makeover Camille Rast at the top of the general classification, the Swiss finishing 17th.
Brignone later told FIS: “It wasn't easy, the second run, but the slope was incredible. In fact, it's my first podium here in Semmering. I really wanted this and I'm so happy. I felt really good today, I wanted to fight and I wasn't too stressed, so I'm happy.
Lara Gut-Behrami was tough for a podium finish, but lost more than a second when she hit a gate hard in the top section. The Swiss star finished in ninth place.
Valérie Grenier of Canada achieved its best result of the season in fourth place with Paula Moltzan the best American skier in fifth position Mikaela Shiffrin remains on the sidelines after his fall in giant slalom in Killington.
Julia Scheib delighted the home fans with the second-fastest run of all, propelling her up the rankings from 13th place. She held first place until Robinson, sixth after the first run, took over by four-tenths of a second. Scheib ultimately finished sixth.
Rast will have the chance to regain his lead in the overall World Cup rankings on Sunday during the Semmering slalom.
