CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Italian skier Federica Brignone’s long, painful climb back to the top is complete.The 35-year-old earned the first Olympic gold medal of her decorated career by winning the women’s super-G on Thursday.Less than a year removed from breaking multiple bones in her left leg — which resulted in two surgeries and months of rehab — Brignone navigated the tricky technical Trofane course in 1:23.41. Romane Miradoli of France and Cornelia Huetter of Austria were in silver and bronze position as the back half of the field — typically filled with less-accomplished racers — prepared to hit the starting gate.Racing in foggy conditions in flat light the can make the nuances of the course difficult to navigate, and with IOC President Kirsty Coventry and Italy President Sergio Mattarella near the finish below, Brignone triumphantly raised her poles after crossing the line.Brignone’s victory made her the oldest female gold medalist in women’s alpine. The gold is also her fourth Olympic medal. Brignone claimed silver in the super-G and bronze in the team event in Beijing four years ago. She also earned bronze in the super-G in Pyeongchang in 2018. Brignone’s four medals under the rings now match Deborah Compagnoni for most by an Italian women’s skier.Brignone was precise and fast, a combination hard to come by for many top contenders whose runs were over long before the finish.Downhill champion Breezy Johnson of the U.S. caught her right pole on a gate shortly aft …
