Ski star Brignone looking beyond Winter Games to 'complete recovery' / Photo: Sean M. Haffey - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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Ski star Brignone looking beyond Winter Games to 'complete recovery'
Italian ski star Federica Brignone said Tuesday her focus now was more on a "complete recovery" from a career-threatening double leg fracture than her home Winter Olympics in less than a year.
"The Olympics is a motivation, but it was already my motivation before my injury," Brignone, 34, told journalists as she left hospital in Milan in a wheelchair.
"I wanted to continue my career in order to compete in the Games at home."
"I don't want this injury to destroy my career. What's important now is to heal completely, because I won't be competitive until my leg is completely healed," said the newly-crowned overall World Cup champion.
"Taking risks at 100km an hour downhill, fighting for victories and medals, you can only do that when you're at 100 percent."
Brignone suffered a heavy fall in her last race of the winter in the Alpe Lusia ski area in Val di Fassa in north-eastern Italy last week.
After the double fracture was diagnosed she was then transferred to a Milan clinic for an operation during which surgeons noticed she was also suffering from a left knee ACL tear.
Five days after her operation, Brignone explained she will begin physiotherapy on Monday, without knowing when she will be able to get back on skis.
"I don't know yet how long my convalescence will take, nor do the doctors, we're going to work step by step. I'm going to fight, I'm clearly not someone who gives up, it's not in my nature.
"I think all the things that happen to you in life can be a source of inspiration and an opportunity to learn, to strive to become a better person and a better athlete.
"Even if this situation is difficult, there will be good things and positive aspects to come out of it."
Brignone dominated the 2024-25 season on the women's circuit, winning 10 races, her second overall World Cup title and the giant slalom and downhill crystal globes.
She also won the world championship gold medal in the giant slalom and a super-G silver in Saalbach.
The skier from Val d'Aosta has won three Olympic medals but never a gold and is one of Italy's strongest medal chances at the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina next February.
A.Moore--AT