Federica Brignone’s Return to Competitive Skiing in Doubt Just 10 Months Before 2026 Winter Olympics

As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina approach, concerns are growing over the uncertain status of Italian ski champion Federica Brignone. With just ten months remaining before the opening ceremony, the alpine skiing world is facing the possibility of one of its brightest stars missing the pinnacle event hosted on home snow.

Brignone, a World Cup overall champion and one of the most decorated female alpine skiers in Italian history, has not yet confirmed her return to competition following recent injury concerns and a physically demanding season. While the Italian Ski Federation and her supporters remain hopeful for a comeback, no official statement has clarified her competitive plans, casting a shadow over Italy’s ski team and fans eagerly anticipating the games.

The 34-year-old athlete, known for her aggressive yet graceful technique in giant slalom and combined events, took a step back after the 2023-24 season, citing the need for recovery and reassessment. Though no specific injury was publicly confirmed, reports hinted at recurring back and knee issues that have troubled her over the past few years. Brignone herself acknowledged feeling the cumulative toll of years on the professional circuit, admitting during interviews that she needed time to “listen to her body and her mind.”

Her absence from the early training camps and preseason preparation has fueled speculation that she may not return in time — or at all — for the 2025 Winter Olympics. While some sources within the Italian team have expressed optimism, suggesting she is in a “period of reflection,” others acknowledge that her path back to elite form will be steep and uncertain.

Brignone’s potential absence would be a significant loss not only for Italy’s medal hopes but for the sport as a whole. Since her World Cup debut in 2007, she has amassed over 20 victories and dozens of podiums, becoming a national icon. She claimed the prestigious overall World Cup title in 2020 — the first Italian woman ever to do so — and has consistently placed among the top competitors across multiple disciplines. Her performance in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she secured a silver in the giant slalom and bronze in the alpine combined, only cemented her status as one of the top contenders in any major championship.

The Milan-Cortina Games were anticipated as a kind of full-circle moment for Brignone, who has long dreamed of competing in a home Olympics. The support from the local crowd, the familiarity with the terrain, and the emotional significance of racing in Italy were expected to be among the driving forces behind her campaign. If she ultimately cannot compete, it would not only be a blow to her personal ambitions but also a poignant moment for fans hoping to see her end her career on a high note.

However, insiders caution against writing off Brignone too early. She has defied expectations before, returning from injuries and setbacks stronger than ever. Her mental toughness and deep passion for skiing have carried her through numerous highs and lows, and it’s possible she may yet surprise the skiing world once more.

Still, time is rapidly slipping away. Most Olympic contenders have already begun rigorous training regimens tailored toward peak performance in early 2026. For Brignone to return to form, she would likely need to commit to a summer and fall of intense preparation, physical rehabilitation, and possibly some early World Cup starts to gauge her readiness.

In the meantime, fans, teammates, and competitors alike await her decision with a mixture of hope and anxiety. Whether or not Federica Brignone returns to the Olympic stage, her legacy is secure — but her presence in Milan-Cortina would undoubtedly elevate the event and offer a fitting chapter in the story of one of skiing’s modern greats.