Austria Wins Gold in Ski Team Event; Shiffrin's Team Finishes Fourth

Austria has won the gold medal in the women's Alpine team combined ski event at the Olympics. The United States team, which included top skier Mikaela Shiffrin, finished in fourth place. Shiffrin had a slower time in the slalom part of the race, which affected the team's final score.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

The women's Alpine team combined event at the Milan-Cortina Olympics concluded with Austria's Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber securing the gold medal. The United States' pairing of Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson, who were favored to win, finished in fourth place. Shiffrin's performance in the slalom portion of the event was notably slower than expected, impacting the team's final standing.

Event Overview and Key Results

The women's Alpine team combined event, a relatively new discipline, pairs athletes from the same nation in downhill and slalom races. Teams are ranked based on the combined times of their skiers in both disciplines.

  • Gold Medal: Austria (Ariane Raedler, Katharina Huber)

  • Silver Medal: Germany (Kira Weidle-Winkelmann, Emma Aicher)

  • Bronze Medal: United States (Jacqueline Wiles, Paula Moltzan)

  • Fourth Place: United States (Mikaela Shiffrin, Breezy Johnson)

Downhill Dominance and Slalom Setback

The event began with the downhill phase, where Breezy Johnson of the United States recorded the fastest time, 1:36.59. This strong performance positioned the American team, including Mikaela Shiffrin, in a leading or favorable spot entering the slalom. Ariane Raedler of Austria placed second in the downhill. However, the subsequent slalom leg saw a significant shift in fortunes.

Shiffrin's Slalom Performance

In the slalom, Mikaela Shiffrin finished with a time of 45.38 seconds, placing her 15th fastest in that discipline. This was a substantial departure from her usual World Cup form, where she has dominated slalom events. Her time in the slalom leg contributed to a combined total for the U.S. team that ultimately placed them out of medal contention. While Shiffrin has a strong record in individual slalom events, her performance here was not commensurate with her prior successes.

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"I was really looking forward to cheering her on in the slalom." - Unattributed quote, likely from a spectator or commentator.

Austrian Ascent and German Silver

Austria's Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber secured the gold medal. Raedler’s strong downhill performance, combined with Huber’s respectable 10th-fastest slalom time, proved sufficient for victory. Germany's Kira Weidle-Winkelmann and Emma Aicher claimed the silver medal, narrowly missing gold by just 0.05 seconds.

Team Dynamics and Historical Context

The United States team, comprising Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson, had won the team combined event at the previous year's World Championships, elevating expectations for an Olympic victory. Johnson also won the individual downhill event earlier in these Games. Shiffrin, a multi-Olympic champion and record holder on the World Cup circuit, faced considerable pressure. Her previous Olympic appearances, including a medal-less performance in Beijing four years ago, have drawn scrutiny.

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"Shiffrin misses out on Olympic combined medal as Austria win." - Headline from France24.

Conversely, neither of Austria's gold medalists, Ariane Raedler nor Katharina Huber, has previously won a World Cup race. This victory marks a significant achievement for them.

Broader Implications and Future Events

The result in the team combined event highlights the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition. While Shiffrin still has individual giant slalom and slalom events to compete in, her performance in this team event raises questions about her current form in the Olympic setting. The pressure on her for upcoming individual events is expected to be significant.

Expert Commentary

The performance gap between Shiffrin's usual prowess and her slalom run in the combined event has been noted as surprising by observers. While circumstantial, the fact that 10 skiers failed to finish the slalom leg indicates challenging conditions. However, Shiffrin’s struggles in the slalom were a key factor in the team’s final placement.

Conclusion and Outlook

Austria's Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber capitalized on their combined strengths to win Olympic gold in the women's Alpine team combined. The favored U.S. team, hampered by Mikaela Shiffrin's comparatively slow slalom run, finished just outside the medals in fourth place. Germany secured silver, and the United States' other team, Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, earned bronze. The focus now shifts to Shiffrin's individual events, where she will aim to add to her extensive career medal count.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the women's Alpine team combined event?
Austria won the gold medal. The team included Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber.
Q: Which team finished in fourth place?
The United States team with Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson finished in fourth place.
Q: Why did the US team not win a medal?
Mikaela Shiffrin's time in the slalom part of the race was slower than expected, which impacted the team's total score.
Q: Did the US team have another chance to win a medal?
Yes, the US had two teams. The other US team, with Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, won the bronze medal.