Federica Brignone Claims Historic Olympic Super-G Gold at 35

Historic Victory for Italy's Brignone

Italian alpine skier Federica Brignone has etched her name into Olympic history, securing the gold medal in the women's Super-G event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. At 35 years old, Brignone's triumph on Thursday, February 12, 2026, makes her the oldest gold medalist in alpine skiing history at the Winter Games, a record encompassing both men and women. This monumental achievement marks her first Olympic gold medal and her fourth overall Olympic medal.

A Challenging Course and Dominant Performance

The Super-G race unfolded on the demanding Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, under challenging conditions that included fog, flat light, and snowy weather. Brignone, starting with bib number six, navigated the technical course with precision, clocking a winning time of 1 minute, 23.41 seconds. Her dominant run saw her finish a significant 0.41 seconds ahead of silver medalist Romane Miradoli of France, who secured her first Olympic medal. The bronze medal went to Austria's Cornelia Hütter, who finished 0.52 seconds behind Brignone, also earning her inaugural Olympic medal.

Remarkable Comeback from Injury

Brignone's victory is particularly poignant given her journey back from a severe leg injury sustained just 10 months prior. In April, she suffered multiple fractures in her left tibial plateau and fibula, along with a torn ACL, requiring two surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. Her participation in the Games was uncertain, and she described herself as an 'outsider' or 'underdog' ahead of the race. Despite lingering pain, Brignone's determination and experience shone through on her home snow, delivering Italy its first alpine skiing gold medal of the 2026 Games. Italian President Sergio Mattarella was among those in attendance to witness her historic win.

Legacy Cemented

This gold medal adds to Brignone's already impressive career, which includes a bronze in Giant Slalom at the 2018 PyeongChang Games and a silver in Giant Slalom and a bronze in Alpine Combined at the 2022 Beijing Games. Her four Olympic medals now tie her with Deborah Compagnoni for the most by an Italian woman skier. Brignone's ability to overcome significant physical challenges and achieve her first Olympic gold at an age when many athletes consider retirement solidifies her status as a legend in alpine skiing.