Breezy Johnson Wins Gold, Lindsey Vonn Crashes in Olympic Downhill

Breezy Johnson has won the gold medal in the women's downhill ski race at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her teammate Lindsey Vonn crashed early in her run and was taken off the mountain. Johnson's win is the first medal for the U.S. team.
By Newsroom | Winter Olympics, Skiing |

Olympic Dreams Shattered, New Champions Crowned

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina saw a dramatic turn of events on Day 2 of the women's downhill skiing competition. While Breezy Johnson of the United States achieved a career-defining victory, securing the gold medal and the first U.S. medal of the Games, the day was also marked by the abrupt and painful end to Lindsey Vonn's Olympic career. Vonn, a celebrated icon in the sport, crashed early in her run, a heartbreaking conclusion to her final Olympic appearance, particularly given her recent injury.

Context: A High-Stakes Finale for Vonn, a Podium Hope for Johnson

Lindsey Vonn, at 41 years old, entered the women's downhill race with a significant challenge: competing just nine days after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee. Despite this severe injury, Vonn, who had previously announced these Games would be her last, expressed determination to compete. Her decision to race was fueled by her love for the sport and her familiarity with the Cortina d'Ampezzo course, which she considered a favorite. Vonn had successfully completed two downhill training runs prior to the event, and her team and supporters held out hope for a remarkable performance, perhaps a medal to cap her illustrious career.

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Breezy Johnson wins women's downhill for first US medal at Winter Olympics after Lindsey Vonn crashes - 1

Breezy Johnson, Vonn's teammate and a world champion, was also a strong contender. At 30 years old, Johnson was aiming to build on her recent successes, including a world title win the previous year. Her run was considered one of the best, positioning her as a serious challenger for the gold. The tension was palpable as both athletes, with their contrasting narratives of perseverance and ambition, prepared for their respective runs.

Event Timeline and Key Moments

The women's downhill event unfolded with significant drama:

Breezy Johnson wins women's downhill for first US medal at Winter Olympics after Lindsey Vonn crashes - 2

  • Pre-Race Circumstances: Lindsey Vonn entered the competition with a diagnosed torn ACL from an incident in Switzerland the previous week. She also had a partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee from an earlier procedure.

  • Vonn's Run: Vonn was the 13th skier to descend the course. Less than 15 seconds into her run, as she navigated a jump, her right ski pole clipped a gate. This impact altered her trajectory and momentum, leading to a severe crash. She was observed to be in significant pain and was later airlifted off the mountain for medical attention. Reports indicate her injury involved her left knee, specifically an ACL tear.

  • Race Stoppage and Resumption: Vonn's crash caused a delay of approximately 30 minutes as medical personnel attended to her and the course was cleared. The competition resumed after her removal from the slope.

  • Johnson's Performance: Breezy Johnson, who had already completed her run prior to Vonn's incident, posted a time of 1 minute and 36.10 seconds. This performance was strong enough to hold off other competitors.

  • Medal Standings: Johnson secured the gold medal. Emma Aicher of Germany took the silver, finishing 0.04 seconds behind Johnson. Sofia Goggia of Italy earned the bronze medal.

Conflicting Narratives and Expert Perspectives

The circumstances surrounding Vonn's decision to compete and her subsequent crash have prompted varied discussions.

Vonn's Audacious Bid

  • The "Impossible" Comeback: Vonn's attempt to medal in her final Olympics, despite a severe ACL rupture just over a week prior, was characterized by some as an "audacious bid" and a "brave effort". Her determination to compete was rooted in her deep affection for skiing and the Cortina d'Ampezzo venue.

  • Risk vs. Reward: Coach Aksel Lund Svindal had expressed confidence in Vonn's ability to perform. However, her crash has raised questions about the decision to compete given the extent of her injury, with some observers labeling her approach as taking a "really high risk."

Johnson's Triumph

  • A Moment of Glory: Breezy Johnson's gold medal represents a significant achievement, marking the first U.S. medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her victory came on the anniversary of her World Championship gold medal, adding to the narrative of her success.

  • Shared Experience: Johnson herself has previously competed with a similar injury, which she stated allowed her a degree of empathy for Vonn's situation. She described her winning run as potentially "the run of her life."

Analysis of Evidence

The available reports provide a clear sequence of events, with multiple sources corroborating the key details of Lindsey Vonn's crash and Breezy Johnson's victory.

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Breezy Johnson wins women's downhill for first US medal at Winter Olympics after Lindsey Vonn crashes - 3

  • Vonn's Injury: The ruptured ACL in her left knee is consistently cited as the primary injury. Her participation despite this severe condition is a central point of discussion. Reports mention her ski pole clipping a gate, leading to the fall.

  • Johnson's Victory: Johnson's winning time and the subsequent medal placings for Aicher and Goggia are reported consistently across several outlets. Her gold medal is confirmed as the first for the U.S. team at these Games.

  • Vonn's Extraction: The fact that Vonn was airlifted off the mountain underscores the severity of her crash and the immediate concern for her well-being.

The narrative surrounding Vonn's decision to compete, despite a known serious injury and past knee surgeries, prompts further examination. Did Vonn's extensive experience and familiarity with the course mitigate the perceived risks associated with her condition? Was the competitive desire to participate in her final Olympics a primary driver, overriding a more cautious approach?

Expert Commentary and Attributed Insights

  • Aksel Lund Svindal, Vonn's coach, had expressed confidence prior to the race, stating he believed she could "pull off something spectacular."

  • Lindsey Vonn herself had posted an emotional statement on Instagram prior to the race, expressing self-belief and a motivation to compete driven by her love for the sport.

  • Breezy Johnson noted her own history of competing with a similar injury, suggesting an understanding of Vonn's challenges.

Conclusion and Implications

The women's downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered both triumph and tragedy. Breezy Johnson's gold medal stands as a highlight for the United States, marking a significant achievement early in the Games. Her victory is a testament to her skill and preparation.

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Breezy Johnson wins women's downhill for first US medal at Winter Olympics after Lindsey Vonn crashes - 4

For Lindsey Vonn, her Olympic journey concluded prematurely and under distressing circumstances. Her decision to compete on a severely injured knee, while lauded by some as an act of profound dedication, has inevitably led to discussions about the risks inherent in elite sports and the pressures faced by athletes in their final competitions. Vonn's crash, occurring so early in her run, prevented any meaningful assessment of her competitive potential on that day but certainly ended any medal aspirations. Her future participation in other scheduled events, such as the team combined and super-G, is now uncertain given the severity of her crash and the apparent injury.

The events of the day underscore the unpredictable nature of alpine skiing and the immense physical toll it can exact on its athletes.

Primary Sources Utilized

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the women's downhill gold medal?
Breezy Johnson from the United States won the gold medal.
Q: What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Lindsey Vonn crashed early in her race. She was taken off the mountain for medical help.
Q: Was Lindsey Vonn injured before the race?
Yes, Lindsey Vonn had a torn ACL in her knee before the race.
Q: Did Breezy Johnson win the first medal for the USA?
Yes, Breezy Johnson's gold medal was the first medal for the U.S. team at these Games.