American alpine skier Breezy Johnson experienced a dramatic turn of events at the Winter Olympics on Thursday, transitioning from a disappointing crash in the women's super-G to a joyous engagement celebration just moments later.
From Podium Hopes to a Personal Milestone
Johnson, the 30-year-old Olympic downhill champion who secured gold earlier in the Games, saw her super-G medal aspirations vanish when her right pole clipped a gate high on the Tofane course. The incident sent her tumbling into the catch fence, though she fortunately emerged completely unharmed and quickly returned to her feet.
A Romantic Proposal at the Finish Line
Roughly an hour after her crash, Johnson's day took a heartwarming turn. Her long-term boyfriend, Connor Watkins, chose a romantic spot near the finish line to propose, surrounded by supportive members of the US Ski Team. Johnson joyfully accepted, and the couple shared a heartfelt embrace, marking a significant personal milestone amidst the Olympic competition.
The engagement ring itself became a symbol of her dual achievements, featuring a striking blue sapphire encircled by white sapphires, set in elegant white gold. This new jewellery now complements the Olympic title she won on Sunday, when she became the first American at this year's Games to claim gold in the same event where Lindsey Vonn once suffered a broken leg after a horror crash.
Brignone's Triumphant Victory
While Johnson celebrated her engagement, the super-G event was ultimately won by home favourite Federica Brignone. The 35-year-old Italian, competing in her third Olympics, finally reached the top step of the podium less than a year after recovering from a serious leg break that required two surgeries.
Brignone, who was the sixth skier to start, delivered a daredevil run where her technical skills shone through. "I told myself that it was a 'make it or break it', but I never thought I would win," she revealed. "Something special, I would never have imagined it in life. I was expecting my skiing to be really confident and try to make every turn clean and be, not perfect, but to let my skis go and be smooth through the terrain."
A Day of Contrasting Emotions
The day encapsulated the unpredictable nature of elite sport, where athletic disappointment can swiftly transform into personal joy. Johnson's engagement adds a memorable chapter to her Olympic story, demonstrating that victory can manifest in forms beyond medals.
Her resilience was evident as she moved from the frustration of a crash to the celebration of a lifelong commitment, all within the intense atmosphere of the Winter Games. This engagement moment, shared with teammates and captured in emotional photographs, highlights the human stories that often unfold alongside the fierce competition of the Olympics.
