Brignone Wins Sestriere; Shiffrin 25th in Return

Mikaela Shiffrin's return to World Cup giant slalom racing in Sestriere, Italy was marked by a cautious performance, finishing 25th, as she continues to recover from a serious injury sustained in November at Killington. Italian skier Federica Brignone won the race, marking her sixth victory of the season and extending her lead in the overall standings, while New Zealand's Alice Robinson, who leads the giant slalom standings, finished second. Shiffrin, who is still adjusting mentally and physically post-injury, expressed satisfaction with simply being able to compete again, aiming to collect points and stay within the top 30. The race was notable for Shiffrin’s bib number 15, her highest in a World Cup giant slalom for over eight years, reflecting her current standing as she rebuilds her competitive form. Brignone, having recently recovered from illness, capitalized on her home snow advantage to secure her 33rd World Cup career win. Shiffrin's cautious approach signifies a shift from her typical podium aspirations to regaining competitive confidence.