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Johnson Dominates Tofane and Opens US Medal Count with Gold Home About Us Articles Contact Johnson Dominates Tofane and Opens US Medal Count with Gold Johnson secured a resounding victory at the Tofane, claiming the first gold medal for the US team. Her performance was exceptional, showcasing remarkable skill and precision on the challenging course. The win marks a significant achievement for Johnson and her country, setting a high standard for the rest of the competition. The challenging Tofane course, known for its steep descents and technical turns, proved no match for Johnson's expertise. Her blistering run left competitors trailing, solidifying her position as a dominant force in alpine skiing. This gold medal is a testament to her dedication and rigorous training. Fans and fellow athletes alike celebrated Johnson's triumph, a moment that will undoubtedly inspire future generations of American skiers. The focus now shifts to maintaining this momentum as the championships continue. © 2024 SKIAAR Magazine. All rights reserved.
Breezy Johnson opened the United States' medal count at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a dominant performance in the women's downhill. The American was the fastest on the Olympia delle Tofane, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, stopping the clock at 1:36.10 and setting a time that no one could beat.
Johnson started with bib number six and, from the outset, made it clear that she would take risks. Skiing decisively, clean in her lines and solid in her stance, she completed a flawless run on one of the circuit's most demanding courses. The result: the best time of the day and the first Olympic gold for the American team in these Games, in any discipline.
"I had a good feeling today," she declared after the race, according to FIS. "I knew I had to push harder than in practice, to be very precise. I felt I did, and I was confident that the speed would be enough."
Germany's Emma Aicher nearly caused an upset, finishing just 0.4 seconds shy of gold. Bronze went to Italy's Sofia Goggia, who finished 0.59 seconds behind Johnson in front of her home crowd.
The triumph confirms Johnson's consistency in recent seasons. Current downhill world champion (2025), she also led the combined team event at those same World Championships alongside Mikaela Shiffrin. However, Olympic gold was the missing chapter in her career. Her previous Olympic appearance was in PyeongChang 2018; in 2022, she was unable to compete due to a knee injury.
The day also had a bitter note for the U.S. team. Lindsey Vonn, at 41 years old and making a return to high-level competition, started in the Tofane just days after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in a World Cup event. She decided to compete without the ligament, a risky gamble that kept the skiing world in suspense.
During her descent, Vonn hit a gate, lost control in the air, and fell violently before disappearing into a cloud of snow. Silence descended upon the track as medical services attended to her. She was later evacuated by helicopter.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced that the skier was stable and being treated by a US and Italian medical team. According to the Associated Press, Ca’ Foncello hospital confirmed that she underwent surgery to stabilize a fracture in her left leg.
“I’m hurting for her. I hope it’s not as bad as it looked,” Johnson said after the race, according to NBC. “I know how hard it is to ski this track and what it means to us.”
In Cortina, the Tofane once again proved unforgiving of mistakes. But it was also the stage where Breezy Johnson delivered a run that is now part of Olympic alpine skiing history.
