What was meant to be a storybook comeback for American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn at the Winter Olympics took an unexpected and dramatic turn. While her teammate Breezy Johnson clinched a well-deserved gold medal in the women’s downhill, the celebration was undeniably muted by Vonn’s spectacular crash early in her run, which ultimately led to her being airlifted off the mountain.
As Johnson waited anxiously at the finish line for the final results, her expressions shifted between ecstatic smiles and emotional tears. This marked her first Olympic medal, a significant achievement for the 30-year-old who had previously missed the 2022 Games due to injury.
Vonn’s highly anticipated return was tragically cut short just 13 seconds into her race. Losing balance after a flag contact, she tumbled dramatically onto the snow, ending her Olympic dream at age 41, only days after sustaining an ACL injury. The event was halted for a considerable period as Vonn received extensive medical attention before being transported from the course by helicopter.
Despite the somber incident, Johnson’s incredibly fast early time remained unchallenged. Even as the world’s top skiers pushed their limits, none could surpass her impressive performance, solidifying her place at the top of the podium.
Ultimately, the silver medal went to Emma Aicher of Germany, and the bronze was claimed by veteran Italian skier Sofia Goggia, who had the honor of lighting Cortina’s Olympic cauldron just two days prior. The event concluded with these athletes sharing the spotlight, marking a memorable, albeit mixed, day in Olympic alpine skiing.
Official Results: Women’s Downhill
| Medal | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Breezy Johnson | USA | 1:36.10 |
| Silver | Emma Aicher | GER | 1:36.14 |
| Bronze | Sofia Goggia | ITA | 1:36.69 |