Double drama awaits as Team Combined prepares for Olympic debut

From the thrills of Downhill to something completely new for the Olympic stage. Monday and Tuesday in alpine are all about the brand-new Team Combined events.

Four Milano Cortina Olympic champions will be crowned across Monday and Tuesday of this week. Here’s just some of what we have to look forward to…

A new event for the Games

Brand new to the Olympic Games, the Team Combined is split into two days and two finals. On Monday, it’s the men going all out for gold, with the women following on Tuesday.

The combined event sees two athletes from the same nation team up, splitting their races into two: one competes in the downhill, the other competing later that day in the slalom. At the end of the slalom, aggregate times from the two are combined, and whichever duo have gone over their respective lines in the quickest will become Olympic champions. Nations can submit multiple teams, meaning multiple medal opportunities.

What happened in the 2025 Worlds?

In the men’s competition, it was pure Swiss domination. Franjo von Allmen and Loic Meillard teamed together to become World champions, with Tanguy Nef and Alexis Monney in silver. Marc Rochat and Stefan Rogentin completed the remarkable clean sweep, with all six celebrating together in understandably joyous scenes. “I couldn’t believe my eyes down here in the finish” von Allmen said at the time. “I thought my skiing was not good, we can be honest. Then I tried to think of Loic and put it all in and try and ski better and it seems that it was not so bad!”

In the women’s competition, it was an American dream for Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson.

The golden duo know one another all so well, having been racing together for years. And with both having been through tough spells, to combine for a World title was emotion like no other. “I talked with Breezy a little bit, and she was like, hey, it's not for the medal, do it because this is crazy fun" Shiffrin said in 20-25. "Do it because you because you like skiing and because you want to be here.”

Shriffin and Johnson finished ahead of the Swiss duo of Wendy Holdener and Lara Gut-Behrami, with Austria’s Katharina Truppe and Stephanie Venier completing the podium.

Who is lining up on Monday?

With Olympic titles on the line, it’s no surprise that the lineup is of the very highest standard. But who are the favourites?

Judging from last year’s World Championships, a single name can answer that: Switzerland. As mentioned, they completed a clean sweep of the men’s podium in Saalbach. This year, they will have four teams in competition, including the duo of Marco Odermatt/Loic Meillard, while new downhill Olympic champion Franjo von Allmen teams with 2025 World silver medallist Tanguy Nef.

There will be four Italian duos too, including new Olympic medallist Dominik Paris alongside Tommaso Sala. “The Italian team is very dominant in speed” spoke Austria’s Manuel Feller, as he predicted Giovanni Franzoni and Alex Vinatzer as a duo to watch out for. “In slalom they haven't had the opportunity to show their full potential. But the team together could deliver a good run.”

For the full lineup, click here.

And on Tuesday?

Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) is one of those due to compete, and she told the press earlier this week: “I am so excited for the team combined. It was so much fun to compete in it last year at the World Championships and, obviously, because we won gold (with Breezy Johnson).”

Confirmation on those competing will come shortly. Head back to our website for more information.

What comes after the Team Combined?

Next up comes the Super G across Wednesday and Thursday, before a day away from competition for the racers. Then it’s all focus on the Giant Slalom, before Slalom takes place on 16/18 February.

Keep an eye on our channels and across FIS Alpine social media for all the big information.