The Sorrows of Breezy Johnson

Three downhill runs, three second places: While Sofia Goggia dominated the supreme skiing discipline at will in the last winter, Johnson was clearly number two behind the Italian - and therefore also her biggest opponent at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Shortly before this began, however, both fell and injured themselves. While Goggia miraculously could still start in China, Johnson missed the season highlight. In an interview with Ski Racing Media The American now gave a deep insight into what exactly happened to her - both physically and mentally.

“When I fell in Cortina, I sustained a serious cartilage injury: a large piece of cartilage was partially detached,” says the 26-year-old from Wyoming, who adds: “A few weeks before, the cruciate ligament had to take its toll.” Nevertheless, it is They drove on – hoping not to miss the Olympics. And so she took part in the first downhill training in Cortina with a damaged cruciate ligament (she came fourth) before an accident occurred in the second test run. In addition to severe cartilage damage, she also tore her meniscus root. Silence “The reason I haven't talked about my torn ACL is because I feel like there's a lot of prejudice in our sport about this injury,” Johnson said. "People think, 'Do you really think you can do this without tearing your ACL?' I answered this question with a yes.” She tried to start at the Olympics without the all-important ribbon. “What I do and what I am capable of is my business. You’re not in my body, you’re not in my shoes,” she emphasizes.

Celebrated great success: Breezy Johnson © AFP / PATRICK T. FALLON

After the injury in Cortina, she decided against starting at the Olympics “because I felt that I couldn’t fight for a medal.” Instead, Johnson underwent a complicated operation that involved reconstructing the cruciate ligament in his right knee, inserting cartilage replacements from a cadaver and repairing the root of the meniscus. The American is aiming for a full recovery within eight months. Olympia from home The hardest thing was watching the Winter Games from the couch. “It shouldn't end like this. I should have been there. But we're not in the cinema here. There is no guarantee of a happy ending,” regrets the Atomic rider, who has often been set back by serious injuries but never gave up.

In 2017 she tore her tibia, followed by a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in 2018. The following year, the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee was damaged. Despite this history, only Goggia was ahead of her last season. “I'm a good healer,” she admits: “But I wish I didn't know that exactly.” Because these many injuries are “very stressful” psychologically. Nevertheless, she never thought about quitting: “I love the feeling of racing. That's why it's still worth it. It was a lifelong dream of mine to win the small downhill ball. I won’t give that up.”

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

The Sorrows of Breezy Johnson

She was one of the most consistent skiers in the Ski World Cup last season, but was then slowed down by an injury, the extent of which is only now becoming public. We're talking about the American speed ace Breezy Johnson.

Suggestions

Comments (0)