Team USA has secured three medals in alpine skiing events at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, highlighted by Breezy Johnson's gold in the women's downhill. Lindsey Vonn crashed during the same event, while ongoing weather issues like high winds and variable snow have led to schedule shifts in the second week. Favorites including Mikaela Shiffrin prepare for upcoming technical races as conditions test athletes' adaptability.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics feature alpine skiing across venues in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, with events including downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and the debut team combined. On February 8, Breezy Johnson of Team USA won gold in the women's downhill at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, reaching speeds over 80 miles per hour while navigating gates. In the same race, Lindsey Vonn crashed and is recovering from surgeries, as reported in coverage of the event.
Ryan Cochran-Siegle claimed silver in the men's super-G, contributing to Team USA's three medals so far in the discipline. Mikaela Shiffrin, a three-time Olympic medalist from 2014 and 2018, is set to compete in the women's slalom on February 18. The full Team USA roster includes 17 athletes such as Mary Bocock, Bryce Bennett, and Nina O'Brien.
Entering the second week around February 17-18, high winds and warm temperatures prompted organizers to delay speed events and compress the schedule for technical races. Course crews managed snow with overnight firming operations to ensure safety on demanding slopes featuring steep pitches and turns. Athletes adjusted equipment like ski wax and edges to handle variable surfaces, with gusts over ridgelines affecting visibility and start orders.
Favorites maintained form despite disruptions, while underdogs capitalized on shuffled lineups for breakout performances. Organizers balanced safety and fairness, postponing runs when wind thresholds were unsafe and reinforcing medical patrols. The weekend's speed and technical events promise to decide more medals, with calmer weather forecasted to allow full competition.
