Federica Brignone, who won the overall alpine World Championship in the winter, was severely injured when she fell in giant slalom during the Italian Championships. She suffered several fractures on her left leg and now doctors have been able to determine that the cruciate ligament in her knee is also torn.
It is therefore far from certain that she will be able to return in time for the Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, which is only ten months away.
In the best time of my career, this is the last thing I needed, says Brignone, according to the news agency Ansa.
I had a month left of the season that I was looking forward to. Instead, it will be a new challenge that I will give everything for.
Brignone is a major gold hope for the home nation in the Olympic Games in downhill, super-G and giant slalom. She took World Championship gold in giant slalom in February and won ten World Cup competitions during the season in giant slalom, super-G and downhill. Brignone is the oldest woman to win in the alpine World Cup.
The 34-year-old was operated on in Milano on Thursday and the operation was successful, according to the Italian Ski Federation.
