Shiffrin Struggles in Slalom Despite Johnson’s Strong Downhill
Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson narrowly missed a medal in the women’s Alpine skiing team combined event, finishing just outside the podium in a race decided by hundredths of a second.
Johnson delivered a standout performance in the downhill portion, finishing first and giving the American duo a strong edge. However, Shiffrin struggled in the slalom leg, placing 15th out of 18 racers who completed the course. As a result, their combined time slipped to fourth place, only .06 seconds shy of bronze.
U.S. Duo Wiles and Moltzan Capture Bronze
Although Shiffrin and Johnson fell short, Team USA still celebrated a podium finish. Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan secured bronze after consistent performances in both downhill and slalom.
Wiles finished fourth in downhill, and Moltzan followed with another fourth-place result in slalom. Their combined time proved enough to earn a medal, especially on a demanding slalom course that saw eight of 26 racers either fail to finish or face disqualification.
Moltzan reflected on the tight margins in ski racing, noting how often results hinge on fractions of a second. This time, she said, the team landed on the right side of that fine line. Wiles added that the moment felt surreal and credited the support around her for helping her stay focused during a challenging day.
Shiffrin’s Olympic Return
Tuesday marked Shiffrin’s first Olympic race of these Games. At 30, she remains one of the most decorated slalom skiers in history. She has earned 71 of her 108 World Cup victories in slalom and has claimed multiple overall slalom titles in recent seasons.
Still, she admitted she did not feel fully comfortable on the course and plans to adjust her approach ahead of the individual slalom race. Shiffrin described the experience as “sweetbitter,” expressing pride in her teammates while acknowledging her own disappointment.
International Podium Results
Austria’s Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber captured gold in the event. Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winklemann and Emma Aicher claimed silver, rounding out a competitive field in a race shaped by slim time gaps and tough course conditions.
