Unexpected Austrian Victory in Women’s Ski Combined

Austria captured the top spot in a surprise twist during the women’s team combined at the Winter Games. The duo of Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber skied their way to gold after the United States’ leading contenders slipped past the finish line in fourth place, missing a medal by just 0. 06 seconds. Germany secured silver with Kira Weidle‑Winkelmann and Emma Aicher finishing only 0. 05 seconds behind the Austrians. Their performance highlighted a strong finish on the slalom course set by Austrian coach Robert Berger. The American pair, Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin, had entered the event as favorites. Johnson posted the fastest downhill time, setting a solid foundation for Shiffrin’s slalom run. However, her performance slipped to 15th place on the course—a rare outcome for a skier who usually dominates by large margins. Shiffrin’s run was slower than expected, and the team placed fourth overall.Both American skiers expressed disappointment but also a drive to learn from the experience. Shiffrin noted that the feel under her feet was different on the softer snow, while Johnson highlighted the need for quick adjustments before upcoming technical races. Germany’s Emma Aicher earned a silver medal on her second race of the Games after finishing runner‑up in the downhill. She also posted the fastest time on Tuesday’s slalom leg, edging out Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener by 0. 03 seconds. The Austrian team celebrated the victory as a testament to their strong runs and Olympic performance, especially considering the new format pairs top speed and technical skiers together for the first time in Games history.