Federica Brignone After Fall: Hospital Post Says “I Made It Big”
Milan, April 4, 2025 – Italian skiing superstar Federica Brignone has broken her silence from a hospital bed, posting a wry update on Instagram after a devastating crash during the Italian Championships giant slalom in Val di Fassa on Thursday. “Come al solito le cose le faccio in grande o non le faccio! Questa volta l’ho fatta grossa (in negativo),” she wrote—“As usual, I do things big or I don’t do them! This time I made it big (in a negative way)”—hours after undergoing surgery for multiple leg fractures sustained in the fall. The 34-year-old, fresh off a triumphant 2024-25 World Cup season, faces a grueling recovery that could jeopardize her shot at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
A Season’s High Meets a Crushing Low
Brignone, who led after the first run at Alpe Lusia, was charging down the second when she clipped a gate, lost control, and tumbled violently through the next, ending her run in a heap. Rescued by helicopter and airlifted to Trento’s Santa Chiara Hospital, initial exams revealed a “multi-fragmentary compound fracture of the tibial plateau and fibula head” in her left leg, plus a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), per the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI). Transferred to Milan’s Clinica La Madonnina, she underwent a two-and-a-half-hour surgery Thursday night, which FISI called “perfectly successful.”
Her Instagram post, shared early Friday with a photo of her flashing a peace sign despite the ordeal, mixed humor with gratitude: “I wanted to thank those who helped me on the slope, those who assisted me in Trento, the FISI medical team who operated on me, and those caring for me here at La Madonnina. A huge thanks to all of you writing to me—luckily, I have tons of friends keeping me company and making me laugh. THANK YOU.” Posts on X echoed support: “Federica’s a warrior—smiling through the pain,” one fan wrote.
A Career Milestone Derailed
The crash caps a bittersweet chapter for Brignone, who’d just cemented her legacy as Italy’s most decorated female skier. This season, she clinched her second overall World Cup title, plus giant slalom and downhill globes, with 10 victories—five giant slaloms, three super-Gs, and two downhills. Her February gold in giant slalom at the Saalbach World Championships had fueled hopes for a triumphant home Olympics. Now, that dream hangs in the balance. FISI medical chief Andrea Panzeri told ESPN recovery “won’t be quick,” estimating months out, with six as a baseline—a timeline that could clash with Milano-Cortina 2026 prep.
Speaking to ANSA post-surgery, Brignone struck a defiant note: “In the happiest moment of my career, this wasn’t needed… I’ll face this new challenge with all of myself, as always.” She even quipped, “The piste was perfect today, I felt great—if I could go back, I’d do it all again… just without falling!”
A Nation Rallies
The incident stunned Italy’s sports world. RAI’s Val d’Aosta branch reported a “tranquil night” for Brignone post-op, with assisted physiotherapy starting Friday afternoon—a sign of her grit. Fans flooded social media with encouragement, joined by icons like Lindsey Vonn, who commented, “Nooooo!!! Fede!!! Keep fighting and heal fast,” and actor Luca Argentero, who wrote, “Seeing you return will be more thrilling than watching you win… strength!”
As Trump’s tariffs roil global markets, Brignone’s fall adds a personal blow to Italy’s psyche. Yet, her “I made it big” post—ironic yet resolute—hints at a comeback as fierce as her record-breaking season. For now, the “Tigre” rests, but her fight’s far from over.
