Austria's Raedler and Huber Claim Alpine Team Combined Gold as USA Takes Bronze in Thrilling Finish

Austria's Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber delivered a masterclass in precision skiing on Tuesday at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, capturing gold in the first-ever women's alpine team combined event by the narrowest of margins. The Austrian duo finished just 0.05 seconds ahead of Germany's Kira Weidle-Winkelmann and Emma Aicher in one of the most thrilling finishes of the Games so far, with Team USA's Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan claiming bronze another 0.06 seconds back.

The incredibly tight finish saw just 0.31 seconds separate the top four teams, with heavily favored American pair Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson finishing in fourth place. The new team combined format, making its Olympic debut at these Games, proved to be a spectacular addition to the alpine skiing program. The event combines times from both slalom and downhill disciplines, requiring teams to excel in both technical precision and high-speed racing.

Raedler and Huber's victory marks a significant achievement for Austrian alpine skiing, adding to their nation's rich tradition in the sport. Their combined performance across both disciplines demonstrated remarkable consistency and nerve, particularly in the slalom portion where fractions of a second made the difference between gold and being off the podium entirely. The pair managed to maintain their composure under immense pressure, knowing that any mistake could cost them the Olympic title.

For Team USA, the bronze medal represents both satisfaction and disappointment. Wiles and Moltzan skied brilliantly to secure a spot on the podium, but the proximity to gold—less than a third of a second—will undoubtedly leave them wondering what might have been. Shiffrin's fourth-place finish in her first event at the 2026 Games continues her challenging Olympic journey, though she still has multiple individual events remaining to add to her medal collection.

Germany's silver medal performance from Weidle-Winkelmann and Aicher exceeded expectations and demonstrated the depth of their alpine skiing program. The duo pushed the Austrians all the way to the finish, and their 0.05-second margin represents the smallest gap between gold and silver in any alpine skiing event at these Olympics. Their performance sets them up as serious contenders in the individual events still to come.

The inaugural women's alpine team combined event has been hailed as a success by organizers and athletes alike, bringing a new dynamic to Olympic alpine skiing. The format encourages teamwork and strategic skiing while maintaining the individual brilliance that makes the sport so compelling. With such a thrilling debut, the event is certain to become a highlight of future Winter Olympics, and Tuesday's photo finish will be remembered as a classic moment in alpine skiing history.