Brignone dominates giant slalom to close in on World Cup title

The National Times - Brignone dominates giant slalom to close in on World Cup title

SPORTS 08.03.2025

Brignone dominates giant slalom to close in on World Cup title / Photo: © TT News Agency/AFP

Federica Brignone won the giant slalom in Are, Sweden, on Saturday, to extend her lead over Lara Gut-Behrami in the race for the overall World Cup crystal globe.

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The 34-year-old Italian was fastest in both runs for a combined time of 1min 52.67sec and an emphatic 1.36sec margin over New Zealander Alice Robinson.

Lara Colturi, who skis for Albania, was third at 1.43. Swiss star Gut-Behrami was ninth, 2.52sec behind the winner.

Brignone, who won the giant slalom world title in Saalbach, Austria, last month, claimed her ninth world cup victory of the season.

The Italian, who collected the large crystal globe in 2020, leads Gut-Behrami by 322 points in the overall standings.

The women race a slalom in Are on Sunday. Brignone could clinch the overall title in La Thuile, Italy, next weekend, with a downhill and two super-Gs scheduled.

The season then ends with four races in the March 20-27 finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Brignone also trimmed Robinson's lead in the giant slalom standings to 20 points.

American star Mikaela Shiffrin, who is battling back from an abdominal puncture but reached a World Cup century of victories last month, skied out early in the first run.

O.Nicholson--TNT

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The National Times - Brignone dominates giant slalom to close in on World Cup title