American ski icon Mikaela Shiffrin delivered an emotional response to a dramatic day at the 2026 Winter Olympics, reflecting on Lindsey Vonn’s devastating crash while passionately celebrating Breezy Johnson’s history-making downhill gold medal.
When Vonn suffered a dramatic crash just seconds into her Olympic downhill run, the alpine ski community was stunned. The 41-year-old had defied expectations by choosing to race despite tearing her ACL just days earlier of the Milano-Cortina. Her run came to a frightening end on Sunday, February 8, when she clipped a gate and tumbled down the slope, leading to a medical evacuation from the hill.
Moments later of this unfortunate accident, Shiffrin was quick to share her heartfelt message for her compatriot. She wrote:
“💔🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 @lindseyvonn”
Amid the somber mood, Breezy Johnson powered her way to gold in the same downhill event, winning by clocking 1:36.10 seconds, just 0.04s and marking the first US Olympic gold of the 2026 Games and only the second women’s downhill Olympic title in American history.
Shiffrin followed up with a congratulatory message for Johnson on X. Stunned with the impressive win, she wrote:
“Omg Breezy😭🥹🥹🤩🤩🤩”
Shiffrin is currently preparing for her performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics and will be competing in the women’s team combined event on February 10.
Mikaela Shiffrin Made Her Feelings Known About Lindsey Vonn Competing At The 2026 Winter Olympics Despite Injury
Mikaela Shiffrin has never hidden her respect for Lindsey Vonn. But ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, that admiration has reached a new level. With Vonn choosing to compete in Milano-Cortina despite battling a serious knee injury, the alpine skiing legend has drawn both concern and awe from fans and fellow athletes alike.
No one has been more vocal in her support than Shiffrin, who made it clear just how inspired she is by her longtime teammate’s determination. Speaking ahead of the Games to the media, Shiffrin expressed excitement and belief in Vonn’s ability to defy the odds once again.
“I’m so excited to watch. I think we all are. This, her, I mentioned tenacity just now. Her tenacity and grit and what she’s showing up with the Olympics, staying true to her own values. That’s just straight up beautiful. And I’m so, so excited to see Lindsey and Breezy and Jackie, but like, all of my teammates competing, I am so excited to watch,” said Lindsey Vonn.
She added:
“I trained today and I actually have a recovery day tomorrow. So like I will be cheering and riveted to the TV. And, I don’t know, I believe that anything is possible. She’s done just incredible things, despite injury, through injury before. I have a lot of belief.”
Mikaela Shiffrin will be competing in three slalom events, including women’s team combined, giant slalom, and women’s slalom.
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