Every Olympic experience brings unique memories, but Breezy Johnson’s participation in the 2026 Milano Cortina Games stands out. Just days after securing gold in the women’s downhill skiing, and only moments after her unfortunate exit from the Super-G competition, she got engaged to Connor Watkins right there at the venue.

“U.S. downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson, already the owner of a 2026 Winter Olympics gold medal, crashed out of contention in the women’s Super-G race on Thursday in Italy. However, she was able to get to her feet after the crash and make it down the mountain, where her… pic.twitter.com/RhI1cdTdZv” — CBS News tweet

NBC Sports captured the entire proposal, which saw Watkins kneeling before Johnson, prompting a wave of emotions. “Breezy Noble Johnson, you have worked so hard and achieved so much, and yet you still find the time to love me, to make me feel special, and most importantly, you helped me love myself,” Watkins declared during the proposal. “And now that I know what that feels like, there’s only one way I want to spend the rest of my life, and that is by your side. I love you Breezy. Will you marry me?”

Although the Super-G didn’t conclude as Johnson had hoped—she ultimately finished fourth in the women’s team combined alongside Mikaela Shiffrin—her downhill performance was a notable triumph. Johnson had to overcome not only her teammates but also the pressures surrounding prominent accidents, including a significant crash suffered by fellow skier Lindsey Vonn.

“Part of what breaks your heart is that you’re used to defying the odds,” Johnson remarked about Vonn’s injury. “You’re used to writing fairytale endings. The reality is that those things get made into movies because they’re so unlikely. And unfortunately, you can’t always—it’s not always like the movies.”

Johnson’s Olympic experience has been a filmic journey, blending moments of victory, setbacks, and profound love.