Breezy Johnson hands US teammate
Mikaela Shiffrin a slim lead in women's combined
[February 10, 2026]
By ANDREW DAMPF
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Breezy Johnson is poised to earn her
second gold of the Olympics on Tuesday — as long as teammate Mikaela
Shiffrin can maintain the U.S. squad's advantage in the new team
combined event.
The team combined consists of one racer competing in a downhill run
and another in a slalom run, with the times from the two runs added
together to determine the results.
Johnson gave her and Shiffrin a narrow edge by finishing 0.06
seconds ahead of Ariane Raedler of Austria and 0.27 in front of
Laura Pirovano of Italy. Johnson is seeking her second gold in the
Dolomite Mountains after finishing atop the podium in the downhill
on Sunday.
“I didn’t feel so worried that I was going to blow out, which was my
biggest fear today,” Johnson said. “And then I just was like, ‘Let’s
have some fun. Let’s ski relaxed and free.’ And I feel like I did
that.”
The slalom run is Tuesday afternoon and Shiffrin — the most
decorated skier in history — will step into the starter's house in
search of a bit of vindication after being unable to medal in any of
the six events she entered four years ago in Beijing.
Johnson said Shiffrin texted that she was "blown away by the run
because she’s very complimentary.
“And I just said, ‘No pressure from me and go get ’em,’” Johnson
added. “I already have my gold medal. I hope that she has fun and
does her best. But if anything happens I’m not going to be like, ‘Oh
you ruined anything.’”
The U.S. also has another medal contending team in Jacqueline Wiles
and Paula Moltzan. Wiles placed fourth in the downhill leg, 0.45
behind.
Johnson and childhood friend Shiffrin already combined to win gold
in this event when it made its debut at last year's world
championships. Johnson also won the downhill at the event in
Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria.
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United States' Breezy Johnson celebrates at the finish area of an
alpine ski, downhill portion of a women's team combined race, at the
2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10,
2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
“It’s super special to bring it full circle,”
Johnson said. “It’s been something that I’ve wanted ever since they
announced this event. It’s not something that existed when we were
kids (so) to be able to have a moment where you win a gold medal
with one of your best friends is not something that a lot of people
get to experience.”
Wiles and Moltzan have known each other since they were teenagers at
the national development camp at Mount Hood, Oregon.
“We’ve grown up on the team together,” said Wiles, who also placed
fourth in Sunday's downhill race.
There were no major crashes on the course where American star
Lindsey Vonn broke her left leg on Sunday, though U.S. teammate
Bella Wright lost her balance exiting Gate 4 — the same gate Vonn
clipped — and drifted wide of the following gate. Wright was not
injured and skied safely down.
Wright was one of two skiers unable to finish the downhill leg.
Italian star Sofia Goggia lost her edge just past the midway point,
much to the dismay of the hometown crowd in the bleachers below.
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