26 February 2020

World Cup leader Federica Brignone wants closest title rival Mikaela Shiffrin back in contention

Federica Brignone overtook Mikaela Shiffrin in the overall World Cup standings with victory in Switzerland last weekend but says it is not the same without the American record-breaker.

Brignone earned the maximum 100 points as she topped the podium in Crans-Montana, thus catapulting herself 73 points ahead of the absent Shiffrin with 11 races to go.

But the Italian skier said of her rival and friend: "I really do hope that she will return soon......for herself so she can do again what she loves most.”

Shiffrin is currently taking time out of the sport after her father passed away at the beginning of February.

It is unclear when she will return to competition but Brignone will be competing in her home country next weekend as the Super-G and combined move to La Thuile.

The best videos delivered daily

Watch the stories that matter, right from your inbox