Federica Brignone, Doubts About Her Future in Skiing: “I Don’t Know If I’ll Be Able to Do It”

Federica Brignone continues her long road to recovery following the serious injury she sustained in April 2025. In an interview with L’Equipe, the Italian champion spoke about the difficulties she is facing during her rehabilitation, provided an update on her preparations for the upcoming season, and did not hide her uncertainties regarding her return to competition. The Italian athlete explained how her training in recent months has inevitably differed from the past: “I’m training, but I’m also still undergoing treatment; this spring was difficult—I was still having a hard time walking. I started my preparation in mid-May, but I’m not doing what I did before the injury.”.

Her training program remains heavily influenced by the aftermath of the injury. Brignone explained that she can only perform certain activities: “I can ride a bike and swim; I go to the gym, but I can’t run and I can’t do any real strength training. My body has regained muscle tone—it’s getting better and better—but it’s still far from being fully recovered or, in any case, back to how it was before. I’m in pain all the time.”

The skier from Valle d’Aosta looks forward to the coming months with hope, but without any certainties. The goal is to get back on skis in early August, although her participation in the upcoming season remains to be seen: “I’ll try to put on my skis in early August. I still don’t know if I’ll be able to compete in the upcoming season. I already have a ticket to Ushuaia in September, where the entire Italian team will be training, but if I suffer as much as I did last season, it won’t be bearable.”

Although there’s still a long road ahead, the Olympic champion acknowledges the progress she’s made compared to a year ago: “This time last year, I didn’t even know when I’d be able to start walking again. So, in a way, this summer is going better, but my body will never fully recover.” Finally, Brignone prefers not to speculate on her return date and reiterates that any decision will be made only when her physical condition allows it: “I’m training as if I were going to compete for the entire season. But I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it; we’ll make decisions when the time comes.”