What's Happening?
The women's team combined alpine skiing event is making its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This event, which first appeared at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, involves two-person teams competing in downhill and slalom skiing. The team with the fastest combined time wins. The American duo of Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin, who won gold at the world championships, are competing again. Johnson recently secured the first gold medal for Team USA in the downhill event. The competition is scheduled to take place at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, with the downhill portion starting at 4:30 a.m. ET and the slalom at 8 a.m. ET. Viewers can watch the event on USA Network or stream it via DIRECTV,
which offers a free trial.
Why It's Important?
The inclusion of the women's team combined event in the Olympics highlights the evolving nature of alpine skiing competitions and provides a platform for showcasing teamwork in a traditionally individual sport. For Team USA, the participation of athletes like Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin underscores the country's strength in winter sports and its potential to secure more medals. The event also offers a new viewing experience for audiences, potentially increasing interest and viewership for alpine skiing. The success of American athletes in this event could inspire future generations and contribute to the growth of skiing as a sport in the U.S.
What's Next?
Following the debut of the women's team combined event, the focus will shift to the performance of the athletes and the potential for this event to become a staple in future Winter Olympics. Stakeholders, including sports federations and broadcasters, will likely assess the event's reception and viewership to determine its viability. For the athletes, particularly Johnson and Shiffrin, their performance could influence their future careers and sponsorship opportunities. The outcome of the event may also impact the strategies and training approaches of national teams as they prepare for future competitions.
