Breezy Johnson’s celebration is muted by Lindsey Vonn’s crash

Breezy Johnson of the United States competes in the women’s downhill during the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (James Hill/The New York Times)

By VICTOR MATHER

It was supposed to be a day for American superstar Lindsey Vonn’s against-the odds comeback. But her teammate Breezy Johnson put up a fast time early and held on for the gold medal in the women’s downhill after Vonn crashed spectacularly and was airlifted off the mountain.

As she waited for the remaining skiers at the finish line, Johnson alternated between broad smiles and tears. It was the first Olympic medal for the 30-year-old, who missed the 2022 Games with an injury.

As for Vonn, she was only 13 seconds into her run when she crashed, ending her hopes.

Vonn sailed into the air, hit a gate, spun slightly and seemed to lose her balance before tumbling to the snow. Her bid to come back at age 41, just days after an ACL injury, was over. She received extended treatment after the crash and was flown away by helicopter. There was a considerable delay before the race resumed.

Johnson tore down the course, far surpassing the earlier skiers by more than a second. The top skiers in the world raced down the mountain to try to catch her, but the time held up.

Emma Aicher of Germany won silver, and Sofia Goggia, the veteran Italian who lit Cortina’s Olympic cauldron two days before, won bronze.