In the first round of the giant slalom at the 2026 Olympics, Italian skier Federica Brignone delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with the best time and establishing a notable lead. Brignone's time was 34/100th seconds ahead of Germany's Lena Duerr and 46/100th seconds faster than fellow Italian Sofia Goggia, who placed third. This strong showing follows Brignone's recent victory in the super-G, where she had already demonstrated her prowess on the slopes.

However, the competition proved challenging for American skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who, despite previously achieving great success on the world stage, could only manage to secure a seventh-place finish in the same round. Shiffrin, who is recovering from a serious injury sustained ten months prior, expressed moments of self-doubt during her runs but nevertheless performed admirably, continuing to engage and entertain the Italian crowd with her skiing skills.

As the competition progresses, Brignone's commanding lead sets a robust tone for the rest of the event, while Shiffrin's performance raises questions about her potential recovery and competitiveness in the remaining events. The outcome of future rounds could further influence the standings and perceptions leading up to the Olympic finals, and fans are keenly observing how both athletes adapt and what this means for their respective nations in this prestigious global competition.