Skieologians: Federica Brignone shows what it means to be a true champion at Birds of Prey World Cup

What is the hardest athletic act?

I’m convinced it isn’t persevering through pain, overcoming adversity or rallying from a seemingly insurmountable deficit. It’s not shattering unbreakable records or stringing together championship streaks. It’s not even fearlessly full-sending an icy track with only a lycra suit to protect skin from a snowy skid at 140 kilometers per hour.

No, the toughest thing in sports is something much greater: holding the head high — staying classy — amid defeat and disappointment.

In other words, the hardest thing to do in sports is the also the hardest thing to do in life: the right thing.

While some athletes disappear when disaster strikes, hiding behind national team media liasons or forgoing interviews altogether, Federica Brignone ventured away from the protections of her team camp after Sunday’s super-G to pass out pictures and sign autographs for kids.

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The Italian superstar wasn’t happy with her Birds of Prey weekend, but she still made sure the next generation of skiers left Red Tail Stadium smiling — and inspired.

“I hope so. They are all always so warm and they cheer for everyone. This is really cool; they love the show,” she said. “I hope I was able to give some show,” she added before offering a more transparent analysis.

“But I’m not happy with myself,” the three-time Olympic medalist continued. “I didn’t ski as I know. I could have done a lot more, especially in the first pitch.”

For the record, Brignone was ninth in the downhill and fifth in the super-G. Far from shabby. But for an athlete who was second in the GS, super-G and overall standings last year (and fifth in the downhill) — and became the oldest woman to win a World Cup at the 2024-25 season opener in October — missing the podium is missing the mark.

“I’m not proud,” she said. “I was holding back. I had a mistake in the last part; my line was too round and I lost a lot of speed. … I have to push more. I have to risk more. I have to do more if I want to be in front.”

Brignone’s Italian teammate Sofia Goggia captured the super-G win after placing second in the downhill. The Italians demonstrated superb depth all weekend, putting four in the top 11 on Saturday and five in the top 11 — including three of the top six – on Sunday.

“We are a strong team. We are good skiers. Training with the team is always high level,” said Brignone, who spends most of her training time alongside Marta Bassino, the other all-around athlete on the national squad. “We are competitive, so if you just have a day where you don’t push, you are really behind — and nobody likes it.”

A good teammate and a good role model.

Just ask the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail youngsters who received those autographed postcards Brignone handed out from the media corral fencing until she had none left.

“I really wanted to get her signature because she did amazing on the course today,” said Sloane Bodziak.

“She’s just a really good skier,” added Marshall Laney.

For Brignone, fighting back the temptation to disappear from the mixed zone and sulk in silence is easier when she puts herself in the kids’ shoes. Plus, this might be her only chance to interact with American fans.

“When I was a kid, if somebody was coming,” she paused before abruptly shifting her thought — “I don’t know if we’re coming back to Beaver Creek, so maybe it’s the only time.”

Hard? Yes. Inspirational? You bet.

“She did really good on the course,” said SSCV skier Bea Waugh. “And I feel like it would be really cool to be here one day.”