Brignone Wins Gold in Olympic Giant Slalom; Shiffrin Finishes 11th

Italy's Federica Brignone has won the Olympic gold medal in the women's giant slalom. American skier Mikaela Shiffrin finished in 11th place. Brignone led the race from the start.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Federica Brignone of Italy has secured the Olympic gold medal in the women's giant slalom event. The victory marks a significant achievement for the 35-year-old athlete, who also won the downhill race earlier in the Games. Meanwhile, American skier Mikaela Shiffrin finished in 11th place, continuing a trend of results that have kept her from reaching the podium in recent Olympic competitions.

Brignone wins Olympic giant slalom; Shiffrin 11th - 1

The event saw Brignone lead after the first run, maintaining a substantial lead over her competitors. While other racers were still to compete, her performance placed her in a commanding position. Shiffrin's 11th-place finish extends her Olympic medal drought to eight consecutive events, despite a strong record in World Cup competitions leading up to the Games.

Brignone wins Olympic giant slalom; Shiffrin 11th - 2

Race Overview and Leading Performances

The women's giant slalom race commenced with Federica Brignone setting a strong pace.

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Brignone wins Olympic giant slalom; Shiffrin 11th - 3

  • Brignone, a seasoned competitor, established a lead after the initial runs.

  • She held a lead of 0.62 seconds over Sweden's Sara Hector, the defending champion, and Thea Louise Stjernesund of Norway after the second run.

  • Despite Brignone's early success, the official results were pending the completion of all runs by the participating skiers.

Mikaela Shiffrin's Performance and Olympic Record

Mikaela Shiffrin, a highly decorated athlete, experienced a different outcome in the giant slalom.

Brignone wins Olympic giant slalom; Shiffrin 11th - 4

  • Shiffrin finished the event in 11th place.

  • This result signifies her eighth consecutive Olympic event without a medal since the 2018 Winter Games.

  • The performance contrasts with her recent World Cup successes, where she had won seven of her last eight slalom races.

Broader Context of Athlete Performances

The giant slalom event highlighted varying fortunes for prominent skiers.

  • Brignone's gold medal adds to her Olympic collection, building on her recent Super-G win, where she became the oldest female Olympic gold medalist in Alpine skiing history.

  • Other competitors like Sara Hector and Thea Louise Stjernesund placed close behind Brignone, indicating a competitive field.

  • Reports suggest Shiffrin may have been dealing with physical discomfort, impacting her performance, as noted by one source mentioning pain days before the Super-G event.

Expert Commentary and Observations

Analysis of the race points to distinct factors influencing the athletes' results.

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  • Brignone's consistent performance across multiple disciplines has been a key element of her Olympic campaign.

  • Shiffrin's challenges in the giant slalom raise questions about her adaptability to the Olympic stage in this specific discipline, especially when contrasted with her dominance in World Cup slalom events.

  • The presence of other strong contenders, such as Lena Duerr and Sofia Goggia, underscores the depth of talent in women's Alpine skiing.

Findings and Implications

The Olympic giant slalom race concluded with Federica Brignone claiming the gold medal. Her performance demonstrated technical skill and race-day execution.

  • Brignone's victory underscores her resilience and skill, particularly in achieving multiple podium finishes at this Olympics.

  • Mikaela Shiffrin's 11th-place finish represents a continuation of her recent Olympic struggles in reaching the medal standings.

  • The outcomes raise questions about the specific pressures and demands of the Olympic environment for elite athletes.

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Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the women's Olympic giant slalom?
Federica Brignone from Italy won the gold medal. She was the fastest skier in the race.
Q: How did Mikaela Shiffrin do in the giant slalom?
Mikaela Shiffrin finished in 11th place. This was not a medal position for her.
Q: Is this Brignone's first medal at these Olympics?
No, Brignone also won a gold medal in the downhill race earlier. She is performing very well.
Q: Has Shiffrin won medals at other Olympics?
Yes, Shiffrin has won many medals at past Olympics. However, she has not won a medal in her last eight Olympic events.
Q: Who else did well in the race?
Sara Hector from Sweden and Thea Louise Stjernesund from Norway were close behind Brignone.