Breezy Johnson is engaged after pulling out of the women’s Super-G race at the Winter Games

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy American figure skater Breezy Johnson, already a gold medal contender for the 2026 Winter Olympics, dropped out of contention in the women’s Super-G race Thursday in Italy. His right pole caught in the gate shortly after he exited the speed room in the square and he lost his balance, ending up on the picket fence.

She managed to get back on her feet after the accident and was walking down the mountain, where her boyfriend Connor Watkins pulled out a silver ring, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. A video shared by Johnson on social media shows them kissing after accepting his proposal.

The US Ski and Snowboard team posted several messages on social media confirming their engagement and offering a “big congratulations to Breezy and Connor.”

Their engagement also caught the eye of pop star Taylor Swift, who commented in the lyrics of her song “The Alchemy”: “‘Where’s the trophy? He just comes running to me’ CONGRATULATIONS!!!”

Johnson said he would like to teach Swift to ski and said, “I don’t know what’s better Olympic gold or this comment. Sourdough wedding gift please????”

Johnson got the gold in the women’s downhill event on Saturday – her first medal of the 2026 Games and first for Team USA overall. His medal then broke, separating from the ribbon as he celebrated. Johnson he told CBS News’ Seth Doane she was taking special care of her replacement medallion while the original was being repaired – and intended to weave a dedicated bag to keep her medallion safe once it was returned.

The race was won by Italian skier Federica Brignone, ending her long, painful climb back to the top of the sport. The 35-year-old won the first Olympic gold medal of her decorated career on Thursday, less than a year after breaking multiple bones in her left leg, which led to two surgeries and months of rehabilitation.

Brignone navigated the treacherous Trofane course in 1:23.41 to win.

Johnson wasn’t the only one who ran into trouble. Italy’s Sofia Goggia, who currently tops the World Cup season rankings in super-G, and 2018 Olympic gold medalist Ester Ledecka of the Czech Republic and America’s Mary Bocock, who entered the race behind the American star. Lindsey Vonn was seriously injured in her left leg descending on Sunday, all were unable to descend safely.

Running in foggy conditions in flat light that can make the nuances of the course difficult to navigate, and with IOC President Kirsty Coventry and Italian President Sergio Mattarella near the finish line below, Brignone raised his stakes in victory after crossing the line.

Brignone’s victory made her the oldest woman to win a women’s alpine gold medal. The gold is also his fourth Olympic medal. Brignone won silver in the super-G and bronze in the team event in Beijing four years ago. He also won bronze in the super-G in Pyeongchang in 2018. Brignone’s four medals under the ring now match Deborah Compagnoni’s most by an Italian female skater.

Brignone was one of four flag bearers for Italy during the opening ceremonies. At one point, still plagued by pain in his left leg nearly 10 months after his horrific crash in Val di Fassa, Brignone asked hurler Amos Mosaner to carry him on his shoulders. Mosaner obliged, leaving Brignone free to wave the flag.

The usual combination of red, white and green was seen in many places on Thursday when Brignone finished, as a crowd buoyed by the first success of the host country for the 2026 Games voiced its approval.

“Congratulations Fede,” Vonn tweeted from the hospital where she is recovering from her accident. “What an amazing comeback!!”