Sci, Brignone and Goggia lead the record-breaking season: Italy first in the Nations Cup

Sun Valley, March 28, 2025 – Italy on top of the world of alpine skiing. The pink avalanche overwhelms its opponents and closes a record-breaking season, not only for the three cups won by Federica Brignone, but also for the victory in the nation rankings, which certified the superiority of the women's national team over the rest of the planet. Dragged by Federica Brignone and Sofia goggia, first and third in the general classification, Italy has left behind Switzerland, a national team that has always led the movement and that in the men's, for example, is dominating. The 4256 points won by Italy (Switzerland at 4128 and Austria at 3492) bring Alpine skiing back to the center of the village, and it is all thanks to the girls since the men, apart from the usual Paris e Casse, are experiencing a great moment of difficulty especially in the technical disciplines. Just think that in the beloved giant they have not won since 2012. An eternity. Among women, however, the golden generation is continuing to drive the movement, and will do so at least for another season, the Olympic one, with the veterans who see the date of retirement approaching given that Brignone he was born in 1990 and goggia 1992, but so far there is no sign of wear. On the contrary.  

Brignone, record numbers: 37 victories and longest-serving winner

Federica's total wins this season are ten Brignone, almost missed Alberto's record Tomb (11), and an impressive high-level competitiveness for confidence and skiing, making him substantially unbeatable throughout the central phase of the calendar. Brignone not only won the general for the second time in his career, but also won his first, and unexpected, downhill cup - a discipline certainly not his, at least in its characteristics - and the second giant cup despite three exits out of nine scheduled races. Alice Robinson she led a season almost always on the podium, except the last race at Sun Valley where she went out, but the progression of Brignone, with five consecutive victories, has turned the situation around. Her career total says 37 successes in the top circuit out of 361 races (ninth all time), with 85 podiums, 5 specialty cups and 2 general crystal globes. Record numbers that consecrate her as the greatest skier in the history of Italy and one of the greatest in the world. And there is no valley that can hold her back, given that Brignone she has won in 23 different locations in an adventure that began with her first podium on November 28, 2009 in Aspen and her first victory on October 24, 2015 in Solden. Versatility has become her strength over the years. She has managed to win in three different disciplines (17 in giant, 13 in super G, 2 in downhill and 5 in combined), but above all it is her longevity that makes the journey even more special. By dint of winning, the tiger from La Salle has rewritten records. She is the oldest to have won between the wide poles (34 years, 7 months and 25 days) with the success of Are, behind her the great Anita watch who won in Lienz in 1999 at 32 years and 10 months. She also leads in super-G with her recent victory in La Thuile (34 years and 8 months), with Elisabeth Gorgl behind her at 33 years and 10 months in Val d'Isere 2014 and Lindsey Vonn at 33 years and 1 month in Val d'Isere 2017. Finished? No. The downhill victory in Garmisch 2025 made Fede the longest-serving sprint triumphant at 34 years, 6 months and 11 days, leaving Lindsey behind her Vonn who won at 33 years and 4 months in 2018. A duel, this, that risks repeating itself in a year on the Olympia delle Tofane in Cortina, the theater of the 2026 Olympics. "For me it was a crazy season - commented Fede - In addition to the general cup, the giant was one of my dreams and it came true. I put my head down after the mistakes I made in the past and I tried to win as many races as possible. I'm satisfied". No sooner said than done.

Goggia and the season without injuries

 

And then there's Sofia goggia. The athlete from Bergamo is back on the podium of the general classification and has experienced, for the first time since 2017, a season without stops and injuries. Despite starting late due to last year's fracture, the athlete from Bergamo has expressed herself at very high levels in the speed disciplines, the only shame being the exits in St Ankton, but she is returning to compete strongly also in the giant, where she has achieved less than her potential. These are two excellent pieces of news in view of Milan-Cortina and, why not, also in view of a possible fight for the World Cup in the coming years, despite the presence of champions like Mikaela Shiffrin and young up-and-coming talents like Zrinka Ljutic and Emma Aicher. Sofia, to improve on the technical side, has lost a little in smoothness and speed downhill, but by working hard during the summer, unlike a year ago, she will be able to fill the gap she lacks. And so it is no coincidence that for the first time in history Italy has placed two skiers on the final podium of the ranking, an important calling card in view of the Olympic season and which confirms a cycle at full capacity despite the advancing age. "I am happy with what I have done, but you always live for what you have not been able to do - commented Sofia - The best thing is to have concluded a healthy season and it hasn't happened since 2017. The Olympic year will be an apotheosis for our team". Furthermore, the often stormy relationship between Fede and Sofia has calmed down, leaving outside the external controversies and building a path of mutual respect and esteem. Both stimulate each other, improving, dragging a group that has yet to see the spark of the new course of the youngsters behind them. But there is time, with Collomb Junior giant slalom world champion, thanks to Federica and Sofia, who still travel like uncatchable locomotives. Pink avalanche with a view of Cortina. Read also - ATP Miami, Berrettini fights but surrenders to Fritz