An awesome Federica Brignone wins the first Giant Slalom

It was a fantastic day in Sestriere on Friday 21 February, with sunshine, blue skies and a great public participation, well beyond expectations: an estimated 7 to 8 thousand spectators for the first of the two Giant Slaloms of this three-day Audi Fis Ski World Cup in Sestriere.

It was a perfect day with Federica Brignone taking Italy to the top step of the podium. Second in the first run, Federica overtook New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, who had to settle for second place. Third step of the podium on the Kandahar G.A. Agnelli course of Sestriere for the Norwegian Thea Louise Stjernesund. Due to the exit of Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) in the first run, Federica Brignone extends her lead in the overall World Cup ranking against the Swiss. In the top 20 Lara Colturi (7th), who races in the colours of Albania, and the Italian athletes Sofia Goggia (13th) and Marta Bassino (18th).

Awarding the athletes on the podium were the Mayor of Sestriere, Gianni Poncet, the Councillor of Regione Piemonte, Marina Chiarelli, and a highly cheered Alberto Tomba, who returned to Sestriere after his extraordinary performances.

The second Giant will be run tomorrow, Saturday 22nd, with starts of runs at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. From 4.15 pm the show moves to Piazza Fraiteve with music and entertainment and, at 6.00 pm, the awaited performance by Andrea Casta ‘The Space Violin’ with the pre-concert of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Sestriere 2025. At 6.30 pm there will be the official prize-giving ceremony of Saturday’s Giant Slalom, followed by the public extraction of the Slalom bibs with the athlete’s parade. The show continues with the Laser Show at 7.00 p.m. and the closing ceremony once again by Andrea Casta ‘The Space Violin’.

On the same stage in Piazza Fraiteve, at 5 p.m., there will be the presentation of the Giro d’Italia 2025, which will see Sestriere as the finish line of the second-to-last and decisive stage of the pink race.

We remind you that both Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd February the accredited public will be able to watch the races from VIP area 10 (grandstand and standing area). Non-accredited spectators will still be able to watch the races from area 14, with free access, located on the right side of the race track.

The Sestriere races are broadcast worldwide by numerous television stations, live for Italy on RAI2 and Eurosport.