Italian Ski Star Federica Brignone Suffers Broken Leg Months Ahead of Home Olympics

In a devastating turn of events for the Italian skiing community and fans around the world, Olympic medalist and alpine skiing icon Federica Brignone has suffered a broken leg just months before the highly anticipated 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be held on home snow in Milan Cortina. The injury casts a shadow of uncertainty over her participation in what would be her fourth Olympic Games and a symbolic career crescendo on Italian soil.

Brignone, 34, reportedly sustained the injury during a training session on an alpine slope in northern Italy. Initial reports from the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) confirm a fracture to her lower leg, though the full extent of the damage and her expected recovery timeline remain uncertain. Medical examinations and consultations with orthopedic specialists are ongoing, with surgery reportedly being considered to stabilize the injury.

The injury is a major blow not just to Brignone’s personal aspirations, but also to the Italian Olympic team, for whom she has been a perennial medal contender and a central figure in the promotion of winter sports. Known for her fierce competitive spirit, technical finesse, and unmatched versatility across multiple alpine disciplines, Brignone has long been one of Italy’s most decorated and beloved winter athletes.

Federica Brignone burst onto the international skiing scene in the early 2010s, claiming a silver medal in the giant slalom at the 2011 World Championships. Since then, she has amassed an illustrious record, including winning the overall World Cup title in 2020 — the first Italian woman to do so — and securing multiple World Championship and Olympic medals. Her most notable Olympic achievement came in the 2018 PyeongChang Games, where she won bronze in the giant slalom, followed by a silver medal in the combined at the 2022 Beijing Games.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo were expected to be a crowning moment in Brignone’s storied career. As one of the sport’s most visible ambassadors, she had been featured prominently in promotional campaigns and was widely anticipated to lead the Italian team, potentially even serving as the flag bearer during the opening ceremony.

Reaction to the news has been swift and emotional. Fellow skiers, fans, and sports officials have expressed their shock and sent well-wishes on social media, praising Brignone’s resilience and expressing hope that she might still find a path to recovery in time for the Games. Longtime rival and friend Mikaela Shiffrin called Brignone “a true warrior” and said she has “no doubt she’ll fight her way back stronger than ever.”

Despite the gravity of the injury, Brignone remains hopeful, according to a brief statement shared via her social media channels. “This is not the way I imagined this season to go,” she wrote. “But I’ve faced tough moments before, and I will do everything in my power to recover and fight for my dream to ski in the Olympics at home.”

Brignone’s determination is well known in the skiing world. She has overcome numerous injuries and personal setbacks in the past and has always returned to the slopes with renewed vigor. However, the timing of this particular injury — less than a year out from the Olympics — makes this challenge one of the most daunting of her career.

The Italian team and its supporters will be watching her progress closely over the coming months. If anyone can overcome such adversity and return in time to compete at the highest level, it’s Federica Brignone — a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and national pride.

As the countdown to Milan Cortina 2026 continues, the world will hope to see one of Italy’s greatest winter athletes make her way back to the snow, ready to inspire once more.