Breezy Johnson celebrated her comeback to skiing on Saturday with a stunning performance at the alpine world championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria. She won the women’s downhill event, taking home the gold medal after a challenging 14-month suspension.
Johnson crossed the finish line just 0.15 seconds faster than Austria’s Mirjam Puchner, who earned the silver medal. Czech skier Ester Ledecka claimed bronze, finishing 0.21 seconds behind Johnson.
Meanwhile, Canadian skier Cassidy Gray completed the race in 25th place, finishing 3.63 seconds off the winning time.
This marked Johnson’s first major medal since returning from her ban due to violations of anti-doping rules. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete. “It’s a privilege to be able to play the game,” she said. “No matter what happens, you’ve got the chance to try.”
Lauren Macuga, a teammate of Johnson, showed impressive form, finishing in fifth place, while famous athlete Lindsey Vonn ended up in 15th. Despite a challenging past with injuries, Vonn cheered for Johnson, celebrating the moment together.
Johnson’s winning run was marked by remarkable speed, particularly in the second half, where she clocked the fastest split times in three of the four sections. Even as the first skier down the mountain, her performance set the pace for the rest of the competition.
“I made some mistakes, but I charged and gave everything I could,” she reflected. Despite feeling nervous, she acknowledged, “You’re only nervous because you have a shot at this.”
With Johnson’s triumph following a sleepless night filled with anticipation, she took a moment to acknowledge her nerves and how they fueled her performance. “I just kind of laid in bed and was trying to rest,” she shared.
Though Johnson has seven podium finishes, she had not yet won a World Cup race. Her past two seasons were marred by injuries, including missing the last Olympics. Vonn, who retired in 2019 after an illustrious career, made her return to the circuit this season, eyeing a farewell after the 2026 Olympics.
The race took place under perfect sunny conditions, with athletes soaring over jumps at speeds up to 140 kph (87 mph). Though the course isn’t regularly featured in the women’s circuit, some athletes had raced there before.
Puchner earned her silver after successfully qualifying for the Austrian team. Meanwhile, Ledecka, who won Olympic gold in both skiing and snowboarding, finished strong but couldn’t match Johnson’s pace throughout her run.
Many favorites fell short of expectations, with overall World Cup leader Federica Brignone finishing in 10th and Sofia Goggia placing 16th after a close call during training.
The excitement continues as the world championships move forward with the men’s downhill scheduled for Sunday, promising more thrilling moments.
