American Breezy Johnson claims women’s downhill gold at alpine ski worlds

American skier Breezy Johnson made history at the world championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria with a stunning victory in the women’s downhill race. Johnson’s top speed of 86 mph was among the fastest ever recorded by a woman in an Alpine skiing race. She soared 38 yards off the big Panorama jump, matching the distance that men leap off the famed Hundschopf at Wengen in Switzerland.

Known for her motto “Like the Wind,” Johnson was the first racer down the course and immediately knew she had done something special. Celebrating her run with fist pumps and saluting the crowd in every direction, she showed her excitement and confidence in her performance.

After 1 1/2 hours of anticipation, Johnson stood on the top step of the podium as the world champion, earning her first victory in a spectacular fashion. She finished 0.15 seconds ahead of silver medallist Mirjam Puchner of Austria and 0.21 seconds ahead of bronze medallist Ester Ledecka, the Czech athlete who has won Olympic golds in both skiing and snowboarding.

Canadian skier Cassidy Gray finished 25th in the race, but expressed her excitement and gratitude for the experience at the world championships, despite this being only her fourth-ever downhill race.

Johnson’s victory was even more special considering the challenges she has faced in her career, including a knee injury that ruled her out of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, coming out as bisexual, and a 14-month ban for missing three anti-doping exams. Despite these setbacks, Johnson remained resilient, funding her own training and hiring her own coach to stay competitive.

While some athletes like Sofia Goggia criticized Johnson’s ban, Johnson acknowledged her mistakes and the challenges of the anti-doping system. With no sponsor on her headgear, Johnson’s gold medal win may change that and open up new opportunities for her in the future.

Looking ahead, the U.S. team is poised for success in the upcoming men’s downhill race, with Ryan Cochran-Siegle leading the training sessions. The team is confident and ready to continue their winning streak in the world championships.

Overall, Johnson’s victory was a triumph of perseverance, skill, and determination. Her performance showcased her incredible talent and resilience, solidifying her place as a world-class athlete in the world of Alpine skiing.