The 2025 FIS World Ski Championships saw an American triumph in the women’s Team Combined event, with Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin clinching gold for Team USA. But as the celebrations settled, a debate emerged: Was this truly a shared victory, or did Johnson carry Shiffrin to gold?
The question may ruffle feathers, but it’s not without merit. Johnson, known for her downhill dominance, delivered a near-flawless performance in the speed portion, setting up a massive advantage for Team USA. Meanwhile, Shiffrin, hailed as one of the greatest technical skiers of all time, performed well but didn’t appear at her absolute best in her slalom run. This dynamic has led some fans and analysts to suggest that Johnson was the true difference-maker, with Shiffrin benefiting from her teammate’s heroics.
Let’s break down the controversy and whether Shiffrin’s legendary status overshadowed Johnson’s role in this gold-medal run.
Breezy Johnson’s Dominance in the Speed Section
Coming into the event, Johnson had already established herself as one of the best downhill skiers in the world. Over the past few seasons, she had consistently been a podium contender in World Cup speed races, and her powerful, aggressive skiing style made her a force in the Combined event.
At the 2025 World Championships, she lived up to the hype. Competing in the downhill portion of the Team Combined, Johnson delivered a near-perfect run, clocking the fastest time among all competitors. Her ability to find clean lines, maintain speed, and avoid major mistakes gave Team USA a significant cushion heading into the slalom.
Analysts noted how her run alone gave Team USA an edge that would have been difficult to overcome, even for powerhouse teams like Switzerland and Austria. In essence, Johnson had already placed the gold medal within reach before Shiffrin even touched the snow.
Shiffrin’s Slalom Performance: Good, But Not Spectacular
On the other side of the equation was Mikaela Shiffrin, arguably the greatest slalom skier in history. With over 100 career World Cup victories, she remains the standard-bearer for technical skiing, and many expected her to deliver a dominant run in the slalom portion.
But did she?
Shiffrin’s slalom run was solid but not flawless. While she still managed a top-tier performance, she wasn’t the fastest skier in the field. Some wobbles through the middle of the course made her run appear more defensive than aggressive, leading some to wonder if she played it safe given the advantage Johnson had built.
This naturally leads to the controversial question:
Did Johnson’s Downhill Performance Win Gold for Team USA Before Shiffrin Even Skied?
This isn’t to say Shiffrin didn’t contribute—far from it. But if Johnson had not been so dominant in the downhill, would Team USA have still won gold? That’s where the controversy lies.
Shiffrin’s Superstardom Overshadowing Johnson?
There’s another layer to this debate that isn’t just about performance—it’s about perception. Mikaela Shiffrin is a global icon, a multi-time Olympic and World Champion, and the undisputed face of American skiing. Her presence in any event automatically draws attention, which often means her teammates don’t receive the same level of recognition.
For Breezy Johnson, this could feel all too familiar. Despite her success in speed events, she often plays second fiddle in the media to Shiffrin, who dominates headlines. But after Johnson’s sensational downhill performance, many fans believe this should have been her moment to shine.
However, much of the media narrative still focused on Shiffrin adding another gold to her already historic resume, rather than the fact that Johnson was arguably the most critical factor in Team USA’s victory.
Would the reaction have been the same if their roles were reversed—if Shiffrin had put Team USA ahead with an incredible slalom run and Johnson had simply held on in the downhill? Likely not. Shiffrin’s name would have dominated every headline.
This leads to another uncomfortable but necessary question:
Is Breezy Johnson Being Undervalued Because She’s Not Mikaela Shiffrin?
The “Greatest of All Time” Debate: Where Does Shiffrin Stand Now?
This victory adds to Shiffrin’s already historic resume, but does it enhance her GOAT (Greatest of All Time) status?
While there’s no denying Shiffrin’s greatness, some critics argue that this particular gold medal shouldn’t count the same way as an individual title. Unlike a solo slalom or giant slalom event where her technical skills are on full display, the Team Combined format allowed her to benefit from a teammate’s performance in a way that an individual event would not.
In other words, if Johnson hadn’t been nearly perfect in the downhill, Shiffrin wouldn’t have been in a position to win gold at all. That’s an uncomfortable reality for those who want to use this victory as further proof of Shiffrin’s dominance.
Conversely, if this result boosts Shiffrin’s legacy, shouldn’t it also be a defining moment for Johnson? Shouldn’t this gold medal be just as much about Johnson’s greatness as it is about Shiffrin’s?
The Social Media Reaction: A Divided Fanbase
As expected, social media exploded after Team USA’s victory, with polarizing takes from fans, analysts, and even former athletes.
- Some argued that Johnson was the real MVP, with one Twitter user writing: “If Johnson was on any other team, she would have won gold on her own. She put in the real work.”
- Others defended Shiffrin, pointing out that she still had to execute in slalom: “Shiffrin did exactly what she needed to do under pressure. That’s what makes her the GOAT.”
- Some criticized the media for giving Shiffrin more credit than Johnson, saying: “Breezy Johnson won that gold medal. Mikaela Shiffrin just secured it.”
This debate reflects a larger issue in sports—when superstars are part of a team, do their teammates get the credit they deserve, or does their greatness overshadow those around them?
Final Verdict: Who Really Deserves the Credit?
In the end, this was a team event, and both Johnson and Shiffrin played their roles. However, if we’re analyzing who made the biggest difference, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Johnson delivered the performance that ultimately set Team USA up for gold.
- Without Johnson’s dominant downhill? Team USA would have been in a tough position.
- Without Shiffrin’s slalom run? The advantage still might have been enough to hold onto gold.
That reality doesn’t take away from Shiffrin’s greatness, but it should prompt a larger discussion about how much credit Johnson deserves—and whether the media’s Shiffrin-centric coverage is unfair to her teammate.
Maybe, just maybe, the real headline from this event shouldn’t be “Shiffrin Wins Another Gold.” Instead, it should be:
“Breezy Johnson Delivers Career-Defining Performance as Team USA Strikes Gold”
Because if this victory wasn’t about her as much as it was about Shiffrin, then what more does she have to do to get her moment?