Milan Cortina 2026: Johnson Wins Gold, Vonn Falls & NHL Players Arrive | Olympics Update
- MILAN (AP) — The image of Lindsey Vonn’s crash in the women’s downhill at the Milan-Cortina Olympics will undoubtedly be a defining moment of these Games, even as...
- Johnson’s victory on Sunday in Cortina wasn’t the triumphant return story many anticipated.
- “It was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life,” Johnson said.
MILAN (AP) — The image of Lindsey Vonn’s crash in the women’s downhill at the Milan-Cortina Olympics will undoubtedly be a defining moment of these Games, even as her United States teammate Breezy Johnson celebrated a hard-earned gold medal.
Johnson’s victory on Sunday in Cortina wasn’t the triumphant return story many anticipated. The focus, almost immediately, shifted to Vonn, who attempted to compete for gold despite a torn left ACL. Even as Johnson waited in the leader’s box, poised to secure her first Olympic gold, her emotions were consumed by concern for Vonn when the veteran skier fell.
“It was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life,” Johnson said.
Despite the shadow cast by Vonn’s injury, Johnson, 30, became only the second American woman to win Olympic gold in the downhill – Vonn having achieved the feat in 2010. Her path to the podium was remarkable, coming after overcoming her own injury concerns and a 14-month ban related to “whereabouts” rules concerning drug testing.
Johnson acknowledged the emotional weight of the day, stating that sometimes “you just have to move on because that’s the only option.”
NHL Players Arrive in Milan
The arrival of NHL players in Milan on Sunday marked a significant moment for the men’s ice hockey tournament. Five charter planes carrying players – including Canadian captain Sidney Crosby – landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport before continuing to Italy. This marks the first Olympic Games to feature NHL players since Sochi in 2014.
Sweden was the first team, comprised almost entirely of NHL players, to take the ice for practice at the Milano Santagiulia Arena, followed by the United States, Czech Republic, Canada and Finland.
The 12-team men’s tournament is set to begin on Wednesday. The United States and Canada are considered strong favorites, both launching their campaigns on Thursday. The Americans will face Latvia, while Canada will compete against the Czech Republic.
Finland enters the tournament as the defending champion, but Canada has won the last two editions of the Games with NHL player participation.
Unexpected Result in Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom
The Czech Republic celebrated a gold medal in the snowboard parallel giant slalom on Sunday in Livigno, but the victory came from an unexpected source. Zuzana Maderova, 22, secured her first major event win, surpassing pre-Games expectations.
The result was a surprise, as many anticipated Ester Ledecka to continue her dominance. Ledecka, aiming to become the first snowboarder to win gold medals in three consecutive Olympic Games, lost her quarterfinal race by a mere 0.06 seconds to Austria’s Sabine Payer.
Payer took the silver medal, while Italy’s Lucia Dalmasso claimed the bronze.
Ledecka had been on an impressive run, having not lost a PGS World Cup race in nearly two years.
Super Bowl Interest in Italy
Despite the time difference, the Super Bowl is generating significant interest in Italy. Several sports pubs in Milan reported being fully booked on Sunday, with reservations required for entry. The New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, California, on Monday at 12:30 a.m. Local time.
American skier Jacqueline Wiles, who competed in the women’s downhill a few days prior, revealed herself as a “big, big fan” of the Seahawks. The Portland, Oregon native finished in a tie for fourth place in the downhill, narrowly missing a bronze medal.
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted off the mountain after her crash and underwent surgery on her broken leg. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team confirmed she is in stable condition.