Ariane Rädler experienced emotional moments. © AFP / MARCO BERTORELLO

"Mom, look after us": Tears from Olympic ski champion

Emotional scenes unfolded during the women's alpine ski team combined event in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Right in the middle of it all: an Olympic champion from Austria.

February 10, 2026

From Cortina d'Ampezzo

It was the biggest surprise of this Olympic day: Not the highly favored duo Breezy Johnson/Mikaela Shiffrin The gold medal in the team combined wasn't won by [name omitted], but by the two Austrians Ariane Rädler and Katharina Huber. Rädler laid the foundation for the victory with second place in the downhill, and Huber kept her cool to seal the sensational gold.

The triumph was especially moving for Rädler. In the greatest moment of her sporting career, she remembered her mother, who passed away in 2019. "I thought to myself: 'Mom, you have to look after us now and help us make sure Kathi brings this down properly.' I've been through a lot, but I also have a good support system that has always brought me back," the downhill skier said, tearfully.

Rädler (center) with Huber. © APA / HANS KLAUS TECHT

Not only the death of her mother, but also numerous injuries have set Rädler back. But now she is celebrating an Olympic gold medal. A precious metal that came completely unexpectedly. "Shiffrin and Johnson were the clear favorites, but we saw that anything can happen in the combined event," said an overjoyed Rädler.