Breezy Johnson, Mikaela Shiffrin Miss Medals; U.S. Clinches Combined Event Bronze
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the U.S. Alpine skiing team faced mixed results in the women’s team combined event. Mikaela Shiffrin, one of the sport’s preeminent figures, did not medal in her Olympic debut.
Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin’s Performance
Competing alongside Breezy Johnson, Shiffrin had a disappointing outing. She struggled significantly in the slalom portion and finished 15th out of 18 racers. Johnson excelled in the downhill segment, securing the fastest time. However, Shiffrin’s lagging performance dropped their team’s overall position to fourth, just 0.06 seconds shy of a podium finish.
Historical Context of Mikaela Shiffrin
Mikaela Shiffrin, aged 30, has a storied history in Alpine skiing, particularly in slalom events. Throughout her career, she has accumulated 108 victories in the Alpine Ski World Cup, with 71 of those wins in slalom. She has dominated this category, finishing first overall in three of the last four World Cups and claiming four slalom titles at the Alpine World Ski Championships.
U.S. Team Clutches Bronze
Despite Shiffrin’s struggles, the U.S. team secured a bronze medal. Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan contributed strong performances, with Wiles finishing fourth in downhill and Moltzan achieving a commendable fourth in slalom. Their combined time ensured the U.S. team placed third overall, earning them a spot on the podium.
Challenges on the Slalom Course
The slalom course presented challenges, evidenced by the fact that eight out of 26 competitors either failed to finish or were disqualified. Moltzan’s remarkable run highlighted her resilience in tough conditions, contributing to the U.S. team’s success.
Medal Standings in the Combined Event
The gold medal in the women’s team combined event was captured by Austria’s Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber, while Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winklemann and Emma Aicher took home silver.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue to showcase the high level of competition in Alpine skiing, with both challenges and triumphs marking the journey for athletes.
