Brignone confirmed on Monday that she is ready to compete in the giant slalom at Kronplatz. It will be a long-awaited comeback for one of Italy's biggest winter sports stars.
Still, she doesn't dare take it for granted that she will be able to participate in the season's big event: the Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
"I don't think any athlete can say for sure that they will compete in the Olympics before they have put on their skis. That would almost be a sin," says Federica Brignone.
Multiple fractures
In early April last year, just days after securing the overall title, Brignone crashed badly in the Italian championships. She suffered multiple leg fractures, tore her cruciate ligament, and by September she was still unable to climb stairs.
That the comeback was coming was clear in early December when she was named one of Italy's flag bearers at the Olympic opening ceremony. She says Tuesday's competition in Kronplatz, not far from the Olympic resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo, will be the first test to see what her body can withstand on the slopes.
"Since I got injured, not a day has gone by without me being in pain. I will definitely feel it when I ski, both around my shin and above it, on my calf and in my knee, everywhere really. Some days I have more pain and some days I can't even ski," says Brignone.
“Already won”
Just being able to compete again is a big deal, says the 35-year-old. After the serious crash last year, she was unsure if she would ever be able to ski downhill again.
Neither in competition nor in training. So in that way you could say that I have already won.
The Alpine Olympic competitions begin on February 8.
