Industry News
Two months after a devastating crash in Val di Fassa, Italy, ended her successful 2024-25 World Cup season, Italian alpine skiing star Federica Brignone is cautiously optimistic about her comeback. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, June 3, from J-Medical in Turin, the 34-year-old offered a hopeful, but realistic update on her recovery: “I’m positive. The leg responds well, and the bone has healed well.”
- Related: Italian Ski Star Federica Brignone Battles Against Time to Recover for 2026 Winter Olympics
Brignone’s remarks mark her first public comments since undergoing emergency surgery in April for multiple fractures in her left leg, including a comminuted tibial plateau fracture and a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The crash occurred during the second run of the women’s Giant Slalom at the Italian National Championships on April 3, just hours after she had posted the fastest time in the first run. She was airlifted from the course and treated first in Trento, then Milan, where surgeons inserted a metal plate and screws to stabilize the leg. ACL reconstruction was delayed due to the extent of bone damage.
The athlete stated in the press conference that there was still a lot of inflammation in her knee, but doctors are currently not considering surgical reconstruction. Her surgeon, Dr. Andrea Panzeri, stated: “The cruciate ligament does not give us concern.” Dr. Panzeri, who specializes in Orthopedics, Traumatology, and Sports Medicine, added, “At this point, we can rule out surgical intervention. There are also other affected ligaments that we have sutured, but we will not operate.”
Now deep into rehabilitation, Brignone says she is working hard daily — but not just to get back on skis. “I’m confident and positive,” she said, “but I want to remind everyone that this is, first and foremost, about my health and my future life. Competing in a ski race is important — but a little less so. That’s my first motivation.” Naturally, the ski racer is hoping to be able to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, but Brignone was cautious, “I would like to tell my fans that I will definitely be there, but the problem is that I don’t know.”
In the meantime, the athlete is planning on working hard at rehabilitation at J-Medical and regain full mobility. The Olympics loom large and Brignone was sure to be a favorite on home ground. With eight months until the Winter Games, a full recovery is certainly possible but will require everything to go right over the coming months for the Italian ski racer. Brignone’s crash came at a time of peak form: she had just clinched the overall World Cup title, along with discipline globes in Downhill, Super-G, and Giant Slalom. With 10 wins this season alone — across three disciplines — she had cemented her place as the most successful female skier in Italian history.
As for the next step, doctors say it remains too early to predict a return-to-snow date. “Going back to skiing is another great motivation,” Brignone said. “It helps me do something more every day — because time is running out.”
