Alpine skiing-World Cup champion Brignone airlifted to hospital after crash

Federica Brignone, the newly-crowned overall World Cup skiing champion, suffered a crash in the giant slalom at the Italian championships on Thursday and was airlifted to hospital.

The 34-year-old was navigating a gate on the slopes in Val di Fassa when her legs got caught up, causing her to lose control and tumble past the next gate before coming to a stop.

Brignone, who also claimed giant slalom gold at the World Championships in February, capped off a fantastic season by adding the giant slalom and downhill globes to her collection.

She is considered a key home favourite at next year's Milan-Cortina Olympics.

The Italian Winter Sports Federation said it had no immediate update on Brignone's condition.