Amid drastic restrictions on everyday life in Italy, Federica Brignone’s overall World Cup skiing title provided a rare moment to rejoice for her fellow citizens.Never mind the fact that Brignone clinched the coveted large crystal globe when the circuit was cut short due to the spread of the virus outbreak — preventing a possible comeback from American rival Mikaela Shiffrin.

 “I was able to win the battle in my sport. Together we’ll beat this very difficult battle against the coronavirus,” Brignone wrote in a letter to her fans Thursday, a day after the races in Åre, Sweden, were canceled. Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malagò tweeted, “Your season deserved a different finale but the emotions you gave us this year can’t be erased. Thanks to you we’re on top of the world, and your title should be an inspiration for all of us!”