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There was both very good and very bad Sunday morning in Italy. Here is what’s gone down so far on Day 3 of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games:
The first medal for the United States comes courtesy of Breezy Johnson, who became just the second American woman to win gold in the women’s downhill. Johnson has been overshadowed by her more famous teammate, Lindsey Vonn, but took the slop at Cortina by storm, setting the pace early and holding on for a monumental victory for her.
Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by what happened midway through the event with her teammate, Vonn.
Lindsey Vonn crashes during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)
Handout via Getty Images
The 41-year-old American legend has been the early story of these Olympics with her guts and determination to compete despite tearing her ACL a little more than a week ago. After two training runs where she looked solid, Vonn had captivated the country and the world that she might just be able to pull off the possible
Then, on Sunday, disaster struck. Just 13 seconds into her run, Vonn clipped a gate and tumbled hard to the ground in a horrifying crash. For 15 minutes she lay prone on the snow while attended to by medical staff before she was eventually airlifted away via helicopter.
Ledeck hasn’t lost a women’s parallel giant slalom event since 2023. She’s the two-time defending Olympic champion in the event. But on Sunday, an uncharacteristic bobble cost her in the quarterfinals, sending her away empty.
Move over Pita Taufatofua, you’ve got shirtless company.
Benjamin Karl took gold in the men’s parallel giant slalom and then proceeded to defy the temperatures by ripping off his bib, jacket and whatever else he had underneath in a celebration that produced an epic photo:
Austria's Benjamin Karl celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taufatofua became infamous for his shirtless parade in several Olympic Opening Ceremonies, though he did wear a shirt Friday night while carrying the Olypmic flag.
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The good: Breezy Johnson wins gold in women’s downhill
The first medal for the United States comes courtesy of Breezy Johnson, who became just the second American woman to win gold in the women’s downhill. Johnson has been overshadowed by her more famous teammate, Lindsey Vonn, but took the slop at Cortina by storm, setting the pace early and holding on for a monumental victory for her.
Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by what happened midway through the event with her teammate, Vonn.
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Lindsey Vonn crashes during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)
Handout via Getty Images
The bad: Lindsey Vonn crashes out hard
The 41-year-old American legend has been the early story of these Olympics with her guts and determination to compete despite tearing her ACL a little more than a week ago. After two training runs where she looked solid, Vonn had captivated the country and the world that she might just be able to pull off the possible
Then, on Sunday, disaster struck. Just 13 seconds into her run, Vonn clipped a gate and tumbled hard to the ground in a horrifying crash. For 15 minutes she lay prone on the snow while attended to by medical staff before she was eventually airlifted away via helicopter.
Upset of the Olympics so far: Ester Ledecka loses
Ledeck hasn’t lost a women’s parallel giant slalom event since 2023. She’s the two-time defending Olympic champion in the event. But on Sunday, an uncharacteristic bobble cost her in the quarterfinals, sending her away empty.
Celebration of the Olympics so far: Austria’s Benjamin Karl
Move over Pita Taufatofua, you’ve got shirtless company.
Benjamin Karl took gold in the men’s parallel giant slalom and then proceeded to defy the temperatures by ripping off his bib, jacket and whatever else he had underneath in a celebration that produced an epic photo:
You must be registered for see images
Austria's Benjamin Karl celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taufatofua became infamous for his shirtless parade in several Olympic Opening Ceremonies, though he did wear a shirt Friday night while carrying the Olypmic flag.
Continue reading...
