American skier Breezy Johnson won Team USA’s first gold medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Games in the women’s downhill, a bittersweet victory after teammate Lindsey Vonn crashed out during the race.
Johnson, 30, was the first of four American skiers down the course on Saturday and took the lead early on after flying down the mountain in 1:36.10. It is her first-ever Olympic medal.
Christophe Pallot / Agence Zoom / Getty Images 
Emma Aicher of Germany and Sofia Goggia of Italy rounded up the podium.
Vonn crashed just 13.4 seconds into her downhill run. She lost control over the opening traverse after cutting the line too tightly and was spun around in the air. She was heard screaming out after the crash as she was surrounded by medical personnel before she was strapped to a gurney and flown away by a helicopter, possibly ending the skier’s storied career.
The other Americans in the race — Jacqueline Wiles and Isabella Wright — finished in 5th and 21st places, respectively.
