The first few days of the 2026 Winter Olympics have been something special, and Breezy Johnson ’13 has been right at the center of it.

Breezy kicked off her 2026 Olympic journey on Sunday in the women’s downhill event. True to her name, Breezy blew down the hill in 1 minute, 36.10 seconds, securing Team USA’s first gold medal of the Games. Breezy is the second Rowmarker to win an Olympic gold medal (the first was Picabo Street ’87).

The victory—one that inspired emotion in Breezy as well as those watching her on the podium—marks a significant milestone in her ski racing journey. After making her Olympic debut in 2018, Breezy was scheduled to return in 2022 but withdrew just weeks before the Games after sustaining a knee injury in a training crash. The four years that followed marked an incredible comeback, as Breezy reestablished herself as one of the world’s top ski racers, complete with winning two gold medals at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, one in women’s downhill and another in the team combined alongside Mikaela Shiffrin.

Riding Sunday’s momentum, Breezy was back on the course today, paired again with Mikaela for the women’s alpine team combined. Breezy reinforced her place among the world’s elite speed skiers, powering a first-place finish in the event’s downhill leg. And while the duo narrowly missed the podium by just six hundredths of a second, Breezy’s speed, composure, and ability to deliver were undeniable.

It’s been an incredible start to the Games, with more still to come. Breezy is scheduled to compete in the women’s super-G on Thursday, and the Rowmark and Rowland Hall communities will be cheering her on.

Congratulations, Breezy!

Want more Breezy news? Be sure to check out our RH in the News page for a collection of local and national coverage. And don’t forget to read about the other Rowland Hall athletes competing at the 2026 Olympics.

Image credit: © GEPA Pictures