Brignone ski return a 'starting point' before Winter Olympics / Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO - AFP/File
Brignone ski return a 'starting point' before Winter Olympics
Italian alpine skiing World Cup holder Federica Brignone said on Thursday her return to snow was a "starting point" with the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics a little more than two months away.
Brignone, a giant slalom silver medallist in Beijing three years ago, suffered a double fracture of her left tibia and fibula in April to make her a huge doubt for the Games, running from February 6 to 22.
The 35-year-old's gold medal chances next year, especially in the giant slalom, were handed a boost earlier on Thursday when rival Lara Gut-Behrami was ruled out of the Olympics with a knee injury.
"I am very happy to have put my skis back on; there are many positive aspects, but there is still much to do," Brignone said in an Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) statement.
"Let's say it's a first taste, not a destination but a starting point," she added after her return to the snow at Cervinia in the Italian Alps.
Last season Brignone lifted the downhill and giant slalom crowns helping her to a second overall World Cup title.
The 2025 giant slalom world champion would be able to compete at the Olympics without a single race involvement this season, with the FISI being able to select her without the usual selection criteria.
A.Thys--JdB
