Italian Federica Brignone will go into a home Olympics as a reigning world champion, while Minnesotan Paula Moltzan is a first-time individual world medalist, 12-plus years after her debut at ski racing's highest level.

Italy's Federica Brignone claimed a major event gold at last in the giant slalom after several near misses when she dominated the world championship race in style. Brignone was fastest in both runs in Saalbach to claim the gold a week after super-g silver,

Federica Brignone won the giant slalom event at the alpine skiing world championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, on Thursday. Britt Richardson, of Canmore, Alta., was the top Canadian finisher,