Breezy Johnson wins 1st gold for US at Milan Cortina Olympics after Lindsey Vonn crashes

Johnson's victory overshadowed by Vonn's frightening downhill crash

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Breezy Johnson won the United States' first gold medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, capturing the women's downhill event. However, Johnson's historic achievement was overshadowed by a dramatic crash involving her teammate Lindsey Vonn during the same race.

Why it matters

Vonn, a legendary American skier, was attempting a comeback at the Olympics despite a torn ACL. Her crash and subsequent evacuation by helicopter was a major talking point, even as Johnson secured the first US gold of the Games.

The details

Johnson, 30, became only the second American woman to win the Olympic downhill event, following Vonn's gold medal in 2010. However, the focus was on Vonn's frightening fall, which occurred as Johnson waited in the leader's box to see if her time would hold up for the gold medal. Johnson said witnessing Vonn's crash was 'one of the most heartbreaking moments' of her life.

  • Breezy Johnson won the women's downhill event on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • Lindsey Vonn crashed during her run in the same women's downhill event.

The players

Breezy Johnson

A 30-year-old American skier who won the United States' first gold medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics in the women's downhill event.

Lindsey Vonn

A legendary American skier who was attempting a comeback at the Olympics despite a torn ACL, but crashed during the women's downhill event.

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What they’re saying

“It was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life.”

— Breezy Johnson

What’s next

The focus will now shift to the NHL players arriving in Milan, including Canada's Sidney Crosby, as the 12-team men's hockey tournament begins on Wednesday.

The takeaway

Despite the drama surrounding Lindsey Vonn's crash, Breezy Johnson's gold medal victory represents a significant achievement for the United States at the Milan Cortina Olympics, marking the country's first gold of the Games.