American skier Breezy Johnson won Team USA’s first gold medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Games in the women’s downhill, a bittersweet victory after teammate Lindsey Vonn crashed out during the race.
Johnson, 30, was the first of four American skiers down the course on Saturday and took the lead early on after flying down the mountain in 1:36.10. It is her first-ever Olympic medal.
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Emma Aicher of Germany and Sofia Goggia of Italy rounded up the podium.
Johnson “blistered the bottom portion of the course to reach the finish line in 1:36.10,” Team USA said in a statement.
Isabella Wright also raced for Team USA and posted a time of 1:38.85.
Vonn crashed just 13.4 seconds into her downhill run. She lost control over the opening traverse after cutting the line too tightly and was spun around in the air. She was heard screaming out after the crash as she was surrounded by medical personnel before she was strapped to a gurney and flown away by a helicopter, possibly ending the skier’s storied career.
Vonn’s “right ski pole snagged a gate, jerking her off balance and out of control. She was airlifted from the mountain, a common practice for injuries during alpine competition,” Team USA said.
The other Americans in the race — Jacqueline Wiles and Isabella Wright — finished in 5th and 21st places, respectively.