Bad Fall for Federica Brignone at Italian Championships Shocks Skiing World
Val di Fassa, April 3, 2025 – Federica Brignone, Italy’s alpine skiing superstar and two-time World Cup overall champion, suffered a dramatic crash during the giant slalom at the Italian National Championships on Alpe Lusia in Val di Fassa on Wednesday, April 2. The 34-year-old, fresh off a dominant 2024-25 season with 10 victories, was airlifted to a hospital after a violent tumble, sparking widespread concern among fans and teammates about a potentially season-ending injury.
The Incident
The accident occurred during the second run of the giant slalom, an event Brignone was favored to dominate given her recent World Championship gold in the discipline at Saalbach in February 2025. Video footage circulating online shows Brignone charging down the steep piste with her signature aggression when her ski caught a gate. She spun uncontrollably, cartwheeling several times before slamming into the snow. Witnesses described her hitting the ground “like a ragdoll,” with her legs taking the brunt of the impact.
Italian broadcaster RAI captured the immediate aftermath: Brignone lay motionless briefly before medics rushed to her side. She was stabilized on a toboggan and swiftly transported off the mountain, then airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Trento. Posts on X erupted with alarm, one user lamenting, “Federica Brignone fallen so badly—please let her be okay,” reflecting the collective dread as Italy’s skiing queen faced an uncertain fate.
Fears of a Serious Injury
Initial reports from the Italian Gazzetta dello Sport suggest Brignone’s knees and shins bore the worst of the crash, with fears of ligament damage—possibly an ACL tear—or fractures. The Italian Ski Federation (FISI) confirmed she was conscious and receiving urgent medical evaluation but offered no specifics on her condition by early Thursday. “We’re all holding our breath,” said teammate Sofia Goggia, who watched in horror from the finish area. “She’s tough, but that was a brutal fall.”
The video, widely shared across platforms like X and Italian media, underscores the crash’s severity. Brignone’s leg twists awkwardly as she spins mid-air, a sight that has fans and analysts bracing for grim news. “That’s the kind of fall that ends careers,” one X user posted, while another prayed, “Not her knee, not now—Fede’s too good for this.”
A Champion’s Season at Risk
Brignone’s 2024-25 World Cup campaign was historic: she clinched her second overall title in March, plus crystal globes in downhill and giant slalom, and added World Championship medals (gold in giant slalom, silver in super-G). At 34, she’s defied age, breaking records as the oldest woman to win World Cup races across multiple disciplines. Her fall comes just as she was winding down a triumphant season, with eyes already on the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on home snow.
The Italian women’s team, dubbed the “Pink Avalanche” with stars like Goggia and Marta Bassino, has been a powerhouse, and Brignone’s injury could ripple into next season. “She’s our leader,” Bassino told RAI. “This hurts us all.” Posts on X echo the sentiment, with one fan writing, “Italy’s ski team just took a massive hit—get well soon, Federica.”
Video and Ongoing Updates
The crash video, available through outlets like RAI’s TGR Trentino feed and shared widely on social media, shows the full sequence: Brignone’s confident descent, the gate snag, and the chaotic tumble. As of 5:39 a.m. PDT Thursday, no official diagnosis has been released, but the skiing community remains on edge. The OIJ and FISI are expected to provide an update later today, with hospital tests likely focusing on her knees and lower legs.
For now, the sport holds its breath for its “Snow Tiger,” whose grit has defined Italian skiing for over a decade. Whether this fall marks a temporary setback or a deeper blow to her storied career, Brignone’s resilience will be tested once more—off the slopes this time.
