Italian Triumph and Shared Silver in Women’s Giant Slalom at Milano Cortina

By Akins Wandex 

Brignone, racing on home snow at Olimpia delle Tofane,vdominated the competition to claim her second individual gold medal of these Games, having already won the super-G earlier in the week. Her victory not only underscored her technical mastery but also marked her as the   first Italian woman in Alpine skiing history to win two individual Olympic golds at the same Games 

The tightly contested giant slalom concluded in memorable fashion when Hector and Stjernesund — representing Sweden and Norway , two nations with a long and spirited winter sports rivalry — crossed the finish line with exactly the same aggregate time over two runs. Both athletes were awarded silver medals in a statistical rarity that Hector described as “one in a million.”

At the medal ceremony, the pair shared a light-hearted moment with Brignone, even kneeling together in an exaggerated bow toward the gold medallist in a symbolic gesture of unity and mutual respect. “Feelings are better when they are shared,” Hector said, capturing the spirit of collaboration that has emerged among Alpine skiers even amid fierce competition.

Alpine Skiing and Cross-Country Rivalries

Beyond this unique shared result, the event illustrated a broader contrast in Olympic dynamics:

In Alpine skiing, the atmosphere has been described as notably collegial, with athletes expressing strong mutual respect and enjoyment, even among historic national rivals like Sweden and Norway. 

 In other Nordic events, Norway has continued   its dominant run , particularly in cross-country skiing. Norwegian star Johannes Klaebo led his relay team to a gold medal, extending his individual Winter Olympic gold tally and further illustrating Norway’s deep strength in endurance disciplines. 

Meanwhile, fierce competition continues in other disciplines: for example, Norway’s Klaebo recently won the men’s skiathlon — adding another gold to his record count — while athletes from other nations chase breakthroughs in their respective specialties. 

Federica Brignone — known affectionately as the Tiger — overcame a serious leg injury sustained in 2025, which required surgery and months of rehabilitation. Her comeback this season, culminating in dual Olympic titles, has been hailed as one of the standout narratives of these Games. 

Mikaela Shiffrin, the U.S. Alpine star and one of the most successful ski racers in World Cup history, finished 11th in this giant slalom contest, continuing her medal drought dating back to the 2018 Olympics. 

The unique silver-medal tie also marks a rare moment in Olympic skiing history. According to official records, Sara Hector was the defending Olympic champion from Beijing 2022 , adding further significance to her performance here.