Brignone in Soldeu but 'living very much day-by-day'

Federica Brignone (ITA/Rossignol) may have won two gold medals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, but the Italian is still facing on-going struggles as she attempts to recover from the multiple leg fractures she suffered in April last year.

In Soldeu, Andorra on Thursday afternoon, Brignone shared her latest news ahead of the coming Audi FIS World Cup weekend:

How are you and what is the plan?

"If I were healed, I’d be on cloud nine. Instead, it’s happiness mixed with struggle. And I say this sincerely: I would trade the two (Olympic gold) medals to go back to being uninjured.

"I spent three days (after the Olympic Games) at J Medical (the facility at which Brignone has been receiving treatment since fracturing her leg) where we tested and evaluated my situation, because I came out of the Olympics with quite a few problems.

"Together we assessed the options — whether to come here, whether to continue, what would be best for me. In the end I decided to come to Andorra, which is one of my favourite places.

"On Monday they drained my knee and gave me a hyaluronic acid injection. Honestly, I hoped I would feel better. I’m still in quite a lot of pain and I struggle to put weight on it. That’s why you didn’t see me in training today.

"I’ll evaluate things day-by-day. We agreed that just being at the Olympics was already a 'bonus' and now even more so it must not become torture. It has to be something healthy and safe.

What is the focus right now?

"I’m living very much day by day. The end of the season is actually the part I love the most — there’s more light, a more relaxed atmosphere. I love traveling and being on the slopes.

"But if it becomes torture because I’m in too much pain, I’ll make different decisions.

"I asked myself what I truly wanted, and the answer was always: I want to go to Soldeu and ski.

"I fought too hard to get back on snow doing what I love not to try. I’m not working with next season in mind — I’m trying to enjoy the moment, even though it’s tough.

"I’m competitive by nature. My hunger has always been about seeing how far I can go and pushing beyond my limits. Now the challenge is being competitive with this leg. It’s a big challenge, but that’s what I like to do. Still, it’s really day-by-day.

"I can’t run, I can’t play tennis. If I ski in the morning, I limp all day. I’m on anti-inflammatories.

"I can push through for another month if I see improvement. But I can’t have surgery now — the tibia isn’t ready. The damage is permanent; it won’t fully heal. I’ll have to live with it."

Will you continue racing next season?

Have you understood what you achieved in Cortina?

"Yes, I have. I’m not an athlete who lives outside reality — I’ve always known where I stand.

"But it’s still hard to believe, because it’s already difficult to perform when you’re healthy, doing it without training and in pain is something truly special.

"Before the Olympic Giant Slalom I had very few days on skis — three days with three runs per day, except one day in Dobbiaco when I did five or six runs.

"It was special to be able, mentally, to trust my sensations, the feeling I had built in recent seasons, to trust my leg, and to put everything together at the right moment, at home, with all that pressure.

"It was incredible, and it still surprises me."

How did it feel to have Sara HECTOR (SWE/Head) and Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR/Rossignol) bow to you after your Giant Slalom gold?

"It was incredible — a huge sign of respect.

"In the days afterward, people even bowed to me in the street.

"I received beautiful messages from many athletes, even from other sports. They appreciated that I handled everything quietly, without drama. That represents me very much."