Federica Brignone: from injury to Olympic gold in Milan Cortina. Then a film and the 'La Tigre' brand
The ski champion overcomes a serious accident and wins the Olympic Super-G, while preparing a biographical film and a brand dedicated to her image and values
With a perfect descent on the slopes of the Olympia delle Tofane, Federica Brignone yesterday morning crossed the finish line of the slope and at the same time the boundary of sporting legend to become an icon of resilience, talent and stubbornness. Her victory in the Super-G at the Winter Games in Milan Cortina ten months after the terrible accident at the national championships is in fact an epic feat, which goes beyond the athletic gesture and the winning of the Olympic gold medal.
Last 3 April, after having lifted the overall World Cup for the second time in her career, the Italian had taken part in the giant slalom at the Italian championships in Moena. In the second run she had run into a gate with one arm, losing her balance. The damage to her left leg - it is worth remembering - was one of those that usually leads to retirement, especially if you are already 35 years old and if, after all, sport has already given you everything: multiflammentary fracture of the tibial plateau and the head of the fibula and rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee.
But adverse fate had not reckoned with the appointment that 'The Tiger of La Salle' had long since circled in red on his calendar: the Winter Olympics at home to grab the only medal missing from his palmares, gold in the Five Circles event.
The champion from Valle d'Aosta never denied her choice to participate in the tricolours, as a sign of respect for the younger athletes, and she never wanted to see the fall again. She decided to look ahead and get back on her feet: walk (even this was not so obvious), then run, then ski, and then win. A journey that will now become a film (it was made by an international production company) with great impact.
In little more than 300 days, Brignone launched herself into the pursuit of this dream, between operations, rehabilitation at the J Medical in Turin, surrounded by her loved ones and her staff - including Deborah Compagnoni's most trusted and historical collaborators, such as skiman Mauro Sbardellotto and Giulia Mancini for image care - the first ski tests just a few weeks ago, up to the starting gate on the Tofane, with the curves of a technical super-G in front of her that sent all her adversaries into a tailspin.
