Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy —
Selected to carry her home country’s flag in the opening ceremony here, Federica Brignone needed an assist.
Her surgically repaired leg – shredded in a horrific crash in April 2025 – hurt so badly from standing that she asked the 6’6” curler, Amos Mosaner, for a lift. He obliged, lofting Brignone on his shoulders, where she could enjoy the view and ease her achy joints.
She clearly enjoyed the view from the top. Brignone, who rated herself “not even 80%” when these Olympic Games began, won her second gold medal in five days, claiming the giant slalom title to go with her top finish in the Super G.
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Her skiing compatriots bowed to her – tying silver medalists Sara Hector of Sweden and Thea Louise Stjernesund of Norway, dropping to their knees in the finish area after Brignone won – and her
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