Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson Miss Podium in Team Combined Event

CORTINA, D’AMPEZZO, Italy — In a surprising turn of events, U.S. ski stars Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin narrowly missed the podium in the Alpine team combined event. The duo finished fourth, just 0.06 seconds behind the bronze medalists.

Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson’s Performance

Johnson dominated the downhill segment, completing it in 1:36.59. She not only secured a slight lead for Shiffrin but also showcased her competitive spirit. However, Shiffrin’s performance was less consistent; she initially led at the first timing interval of the slalom but ended up in 15th place. Her slalom time was 45.38 seconds, a full second slower than Germany’s Emma Aicher, who won the segment.

Final Standings

• Gold Medal: Austria – Ariane Raedler (1:36.65) and Katharina Huber (45.01) with a combined time of 2:21.66.
• Silver Medal: Germany – Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (1:37.33) and Emma Aicher with a combined time of 2:21.71.
• Bronze Medal: USA – Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan with a combined time of 2:21.91.
• Fourth Place: USA – Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin with a combined time of 2:21.97.

Despite the disappointment, Johnson and Shiffrin have a history of success in this event. They won gold at last year’s world championships, where the team combined made its debut. Their camaraderie dates back to childhood, adding a personal touch to their professional partnership.

The Future of the Team Combined Event

The future of this pairing faced uncertainty leading up to the Olympics. U.S. Skiing utilizes previous results to determine team compositions. Lindsey Vonn was initially ranked higher in the downhill standings than Johnson. However, after Vonn’s injury during the Olympic downhill, Johnson had the opportunity to join forces with Shiffrin once more.

Reflecting on their partnership, Johnson expressed how meaningful it was to win a medal with Shiffrin, stating, “It’s been something that I’ve wanted ever since they announced this event.” This sentiment encapsulates the unique nature of the alpine combine, blending both friendship and competition on a global stage.