In preparation for the women's team competition at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Breezy Johnson won the speed skiing event by a narrow margin, marking a strong performance for the American contingent. Johnson, the Olympic champion, edged out Austria's Ariane Rädler by just 0.06 seconds, with Italian Laura Pirovano finishing in third place. This impressive win not only boosts Johnson's confidence but also elevates the American team as they head into the highly anticipated slalom event.

The upcoming slalom is notable as it showcases Mikaela Shiffrin, the overall leader of the World Cup series and a dominant force in slalom skiing this season, further solidifying the U.S. team's status as favorites. The competition format features both a speed skier and a slalom skier from each national team, with their times combined to produce a team result, making it a unique and exciting format at the Olympics.

This event reflects a growing trend in Olympic skiing formats, as team events are being introduced for the first time, offering nations a chance to leverage their strengths in different disciplines. The performances at the Worlds a year ago will undoubtedly influence strategies for nations as they aim for medals at the Olympics, anticipating thrilling competition in front of a global audience.