02/10/26 06:37:00
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02/10 06:35 CST Breezy Johnson hands US teammate Mikaela Shiffrin a slim lead
in women's combined
Breezy Johnson hands US teammate Mikaela Shiffrin a slim lead in women's
combined
By ANDREW DAMPF
AP Sports Writer
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.
"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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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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