The Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm will kick off on February 6, 2025, highlighting a thrilling rivalry between Lara Gut-Behrami and Federica Brignone in the women’s Super-G. Gut-Behrami, the reigning champion and competing in her final World Championship, seeks to add to her medal tally before retiring post-2026 Olympics. Brignone, the Olympic champion, aims to reclaim her title despite recent challenges. The competition promises to be intense on a demanding course.
Exciting Showdown at the Alpine Ski World Championships
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm will commence with the first individual medals being awarded. All eyes will be on the fierce competition between Lara Gut-Behrami and Federica Brignone, particularly in the women’s Super-G event.
During a recent trial run in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Lara Gut-Behrami showcased her determination and ambition for the upcoming World Championship title. As the reigning champion from last winter, she is eager to add another medal to her collection, especially since this will be her final appearance at the World Championships.
Gut-Behrami’s Last Championship and Competitors’ Resolve
The 33-year-old athlete explicitly stated in a message aired by Swiss television, “My next and last World Championship is coming up. I said it, and so it’s done for me.” Although the next championships are set to take place in her home country of Switzerland in 2027, Gut-Behrami has decided not to participate. Instead, she aims to conclude her competitive career at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, after which she plans to shift her focus towards family life.
While Gut-Behrami will be a major contender, Federica Brignone, the current Olympic champion, will not easily concede her title. The competition between these two exceptional athletes has become somewhat of a rivalry over the past few years, with Gut-Behrami having a slight edge in winning the small crystal globe three times to Brignone’s one.
Brignone’s performance in the Super-G at the World Championships has been less stellar, with her best result being an eighth place finish in 2023. In contrast, Gut-Behrami has claimed multiple medals, including a gold in 2021 and additional podium finishes in previous years.
The course in Saalbach-Hinterglemm is expected to be challenging, as it is not particularly fast and small errors can have significant consequences. Brignone has recently proven her ability to tackle challenging courses, finishing second in the Super-G at the season finale in 2024. However, with recent adjustments to the course, Gut-Behrami has shown her adeptness by clocking the fastest time in the initial downhill training session, despite having dealt with knee issues earlier.
As the championship begins, the stakes are high, and both athletes are aiming for gold. Brignone currently leads the overall World Cup standings and is chasing her second large crystal globe, while Gut-Behrami aims for a triumphant farewell to her illustrious career.
For fans eager to keep track of the Alpine Ski World Championship schedule, the calendar includes all key dates from Sölden to the finale in Sun Valley, ensuring you won’t miss a moment of the action.