Italy's Brignone wins women's giant slalom gold, completes Olympic double at Milan-Cortina

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy -- Italy's veteran alpine skier Federica Brignone thrilled home fans by claiming her second gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games in the women's giant slalom on Sunday.

Wearing her signature tiger helmet, Brignone, who finished runner-up in the event at the last Olympics, led after the first run in one minute 3.23 seconds and clocked 1:10.27 in her second run, finishing with a combined time of 2:13.50 on the Olimpia delle Tofane course.

"I crossed the finish line and said, 'I don't know if it's enough,' when I went through the last few gates," said the 35-year-old. "Then I heard the crowd and thought, 'Oh, maybe yes.' Then I turned around and saw number one."

"I have too many emotions. I can't believe it - again - after taking super-G gold," she added.

Brignone claimed the women's super-G title on Thursday, securing her first-ever Olympic gold medal and Italy's first alpine skiing gold of the Games.

"I know exactly where I am, but this is just crazy - crazy thinking about how I came here," she said. "My attitude was just to be happy to be here. That was already an achievement, just to be back as an athlete."

Brignone had been sidelined for around 10 months following knee surgery before returning to competition.

"Maybe that's the feeling. I wasn't feeling much pressure, not so much - a bit more after super-G. I was able to focus on my skiing and just let it go," she said.

Defending Olympic champion Sara Hector of Sweden and Thea Louise Stjernesund of Norway shared silver after posting identical combined times of 2:14.12. Both waited at the finish for Brignone and bowed to the newly crowned champion before the three skiers embraced and congratulated one another.

Hector paid tribute to Brignone, calling her victory well deserved and inspiring. "If there is one person I would want to give an Olympic gold to, it is Feda," Hector said. "Her comeback from a broken leg was incredible. She has that mindset - she's tough."

Hector also welcomed sharing silver. "To share it with a good friend and fellow Scandinavian, and to stand on the podium with Federica as well, makes it very special," she said.

Stjernesund described it as a memorable moment. "It's a beautiful podium in my eyes. I'm grateful to share it with them," said the 29-year-old Norwegian.

China's Zhang Yuying, 28, finished 54th after completing both runs. "The competition was really hard for me, but I enjoyed it very much," she said. "It was a huge success for me to complete two runs and learn from the others."