Alpine skiing-Brignone still aiming for Olympics, wants to leave on her terms
Alpine skiing-Brignone still aiming for Olympics, wants to leave on her terms
MILAN - Italy's Alpine ski champion Federica Brignone said she was doing all she could to be fit for her home Milan-Cortina Olympics next year and wanted to retire smiling on the slopes rather than forced out by injury.
The 34-year-old told reporters on Wednesday, however, that it was still too early to say whether she would win the battle.
"I got injured at the best moment of my career, of my life," Brignone said at an event in Milan for her sponsor Banca Generali.
"And this is bothering me. I do not want to retire from ski now, like that. I loved this sport so much that I want to retire when I am happy, feeling good on the slopes."
Overall World Cup champion Brignone, who was a leading medal hope at the Games, fractured her left leg and tore knee ligaments when she crashed during a race in the Italian championships in April.
The giant slalom world champion said she remained positive but also realistic and had to respect her body and do what was best for herself.
"My first goal is my health and that will continue to be and it won't change because of external pressures, in the sense that if my body won't make it, it won't make it. I think it will make it and I am very positive, it is responding," she said.
"Some things are going really beyond expectations. Some other things are giving me a hard time, but it's normal, actually after suffering that kind of injury.
"I think I'll be back for the winter. But that's not something I can predict."
Brignone said she would not know until the crutches came off for good how much load she could put on the leg.
"Obviously it was destroyed, so that has to be respected," she added.
The World Cup season starts in October with the Olympics running from February 6-22. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
3 hours ago
- Business Times
Nike delays launch of women's brand in partnership with Kim Kardashian's Skims
[NEW YORK] Nike's launch of a new women's activewear brand in the US through a partnership with Kim Kardashian-owned shapewear label Skims has been delayed, the Air Jordan maker's spokesperson told Reuters on Wednesday (Jun 18). The partnership, which was announced in February, is part of new CEO Elliott Hill's plan to turn the struggling company around and broaden its product offerings to compete with brands such as Roger Federer-backed On and Deckers' Hoka. Skims, which was launched in 2019, has seen growing demand for its premium bras, loungewear and shapewear. With anticipation high among stakeholders and consumers, the two sides have delayed the launch as they work to get the product right, the Nike spokesperson said. The delay was first reported by Bloomberg News. The new brand is set to be called NikeSKIMS, and is expected to include training apparel, footwear and accessories for women. The initial plan was to launch its first collection at some US retail locations in the spring of this year, as well as on its website. It was to be available more widely in 2026. The partnership with Skims has been applauded by investors and analysts, who hope it will help Nike make up ground after falling behind in the women's activewear market, where Lululemon and Gap's Athleta have emerged as a winners. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Buss family to sell Lakers, report says
FILE PHOTO: Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss attends the game against the Utah Jazz at Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS NEW YORK - The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN reported on Wednesday, marking the end of an era for one of the NBA's most influential families. Mark Walter, the CEO and chairman of holding company TWG Global, is set to take the majority ownership under the agreement, ESPN's NBA insider Shams Charania said in a post on X. The Lakers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The late Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 and turned it into one of the most popular and valuable franchises in all of professional sports, winning five championships during their now-iconic "Showtime" era in the 1980s. His daughter, Jeanie Buss, took over as principal owner after Jerry Buss died in 2013, making her one of the most powerful women in sports. Jeanie Buss will stay on as governor after the sale, Charania reported. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Real Madrid held by Al-Hilal in manager Xabi Alsonso's debut
Real Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Federico Valverde missed a stoppage-time penalty. PHOTO: AFP MIAMI - Federico Valverde missed a stoppage-time penalty as Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup on June 18. A large contingent of Real fans in a crowd of 62,415 at the Hard Rock Stadium were left frustrated after new manager Xabi Alonso's first game in charge ended with the points shared. For the Saudi club, with Italian Simone Inzaghi also making his debut on the bench, it was an impressive performance where they caused Real's defence plenty of problems before securing a hugely encouraging surprise result. Al-Hilal started off in effervescent fashion and went close in the 19th minute when Salem Aldawsari volleyed back in to the box and Marcos Leonardo's effort flew just wide. Renan Lodi had the ball in the net for the Saudi side but the effort was ruled out for offside from another dangerous break Aldawsari showed his pace but dragged his shot just wide. Real gradually gained more control over the game and Rodrygo went close in the 31st minute when he cut in from the right and his left-foot effort zipped just over the bar. But Real's quality was starting to shine through and they grabbed the lead in the 34th minute. Gonzalo, starting in place of the absent Kylian Mbappe, started the break from deep and a clever exchange of passes concluded with Rodrygo drilling a low ball into the box where Gonzalo, who had continued his run, provided a delicate finish. It was a classic counter-attacking goal but it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the Saudi side who continued to press forward with energy. Gonzalo Garcia scores for Real Madrid. PHOTO: REUTERS Four minutes before the break, they drew level when Raul Asencio was ruled to have pulled down Marcos Leonardo and Portugal international Ruben Neves calmly tucked away the penalty. The dangerous Aldawsari, who scored the winner for Saudi Arabia in their upset win over Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar, threatened again just before the break. But Real came out strongly after the interval with Arda Guler introduced at the break rattling the bar with a volley from a Vinicius Jr cross. Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso (left) heading to the locker room at the end of the first half. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Moments later, Gonzalo brought a fine save out of Yassine Bounou with a firm header from a Vinicius crosss and then Valverde flashed a shot wide from 25 yards out. Having survived that storm from Real, Al-Hilal began to creep back into the game and ask some questions again of the Real defence. But with three minutes of normal time remaining Real were handed the chance to take all three points when Mohammed Al Qahtani was ruled to have put his hand in the face of Fran Garcia as he tried to hold off the challenge of the Real left-back. But Valverde's shot was saved by the diving Bounou to give the Saudi team a point after a hugely creditable performance. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
