Breezy Johnson secured the United States' first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics, winning gold in the women's downhill race in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Johnson's time of 1:36.10 on the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center course edged out Germany's Emma Aicher by a mere 0.04 seconds, while Italy's Sofia Goggia took the bronze, 0.59 seconds behind Johnson, according to NPR News.
The race, held on Super Bowl Sunday, was highly anticipated, especially as it marked a potential comeback for veteran skier Lindsey Vonn. However, Vonn suffered a serious crash during the race and was airlifted by helicopter, dashing her hopes of a medal, according to Variety. Vonn's sisters, Karin and Laura Kildow, were present, watching anxiously as their sister entered the starting gate, according to Time. Vonn had undergone knee replacement surgery and suffered a ruptured ACL just a week prior to the race.
The women's downhill competition was a highlight of the Olympics, with the high-speed race considered the most prestigious in skiing, according to Time. The event took place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a location that felt like "home turf" for many U.S. Olympic athletes, according to NPR News.
The victory was a significant moment for the U.S. team, as it marked their first medal of the games. Johnson's performance was particularly impressive, given the challenging conditions and the high level of competition.
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