As Jackie Wiles made her way through her downhill run on Tuesday at the Olympics in northern Italy, her teammate, Paula Moltzan, tried to channel her own nerves into positive energy.

“I was freaking out the whole time. I was talking to her as if she could hear me,” Moltzan told NBC’s “Today” program. “I was like ‘C’mon Jackie, you’ve got this.’ I was shaking. I was sweating.”

By the time it was all said and done, Wiles had finished with the fourth-fastest time in the downhill, her portion of the women’s team combined event, setting Moltzan, a Prior Lake native, up to potentially bring home the first Olympic medal for both.

Just one problem. One of the best skiers of all time was standing in their way.

After Moltzan turned in the fourth-quickest time in the slalom, Mikaela Shiffrin was the only thing separating the pair from a medal. But after Shiffrin’s partner, Breezy Johnson, gave the duo an advantage with the fastest time in the downhill, Shiffrin couldn’t capitalize. She finished 15th in the event, putting her and Johnson in fourth by .06 seconds, and fulfilling a lifelong dream for Moltzan.

Now she’s out for more, with two more events remaining at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

The daughter of two ski instructors, Moltzan was placed on skis for the first time as a toddler. She grew up skiing at Buck Hill in Burnsville before eventually moving to Vail, Colo. with her father in the middle of high school to pursue her skiing career.

Her path hasn’t always been linear, at one point being cut by the U.S. Ski Team. But as Moltzan prepares for her next two events — she will ski on Sunday in the giant slalom and again on Wednesday in the slalom — she’s near her best. Heading into the Olympics, she is currently ranked fourth in the overall FIS Alpine Ski World Cup standings; teammate Shiffrin is first.

Milan-Cortina marks the second trip to the Olympics for Moltzan. Four years earlier in Beijing, she finished eighth in the slalom and 12th in the giant slalom. She just missed out on a medal as the United States finished fourth in the team event.

But this time around, she’ll already be skiing with a medal to her name.

“I feel like actually after getting a medal with Jackie (Tuesday), I feel like I can take a deep breath and really just like focus on my competition and think about how the skiing is going to go and let go of the fact that the medal pressure is not really there anymore,” she said on “Today.”

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If you want to get outdoors, note that this year, Presidents Day falls on Monday, Feb. 16, when all national parks will be free to enter. But things are a bit different than in past years.

This year, the freebie days are only for American legal residents. Foreigners will pay much higher fees.

These freebies can save you $50, but you should definitely plan in advance and get up to go at the crack of dawn, before it gets crowded with sleepyheads. C’mon, you can do it.

You don’t need to sign up in advance, but make sure you don’t need reservations (which you probably don’t in February). Go to recreation.gov and search for the park you want and “timed entry” to find the reservation information.

Here are the nine national parks in California: Channel Islands (the boat ride won’t be free), Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Lassen, Pinnacles, Redwood, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. (Note that Yosemite’s still going to be snowy in February, and probably Lassen and Kings Canyon too.)

The next free day will be Memorial Day, on May 25. Gee, that won’t be crowded, right?

Learn more: nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm#free_entrance_days

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My grandkids can’t seem to get enough of s’mores-themed goodies. The chefs at America’s Test Kitchen came up with these S’Mores Brownies in time for our Halloween baking.  A hefty graham-cracker crust at the bottom supports the brownie layer above. And to capture that campfire component, a top layer of miniature marshmallows toast in the oven under the broiler.

Two things. Be sure to use a metal baking pan and not a glass baking dish in this recipe. And two, when the marshmallow topped beauty goes under the broiler, keep a watchful eye on it.

S’Mores Brownies

Yield: 16 brownies

INGREDIENTS

Crust:

6 whole graham crackers, crushed into crumbs (3/4 cup)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon sugar

Brownies:

8 tablespoons ( one stick) unsalted butter

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

2/3 cup (3 1/3 ounces) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups miniature marshmallows

DIRECTIONS

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make foil sling for 8-inch square metal baking pan by folding 2 long sheets of aluminum foil so each is 8 inches wide. Lay sheets of foil in pan perpendicular to each other with extra foil hanging over edges of pan. Push foil into corners and up the sides of pan, smoothing foil flush to pan. Grease foil.

2. For the crust: Using your fingers, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar in bowl until evenly moistened. Sprinkle mixture into prepared pan and press firmly into even layer. Bake until firm and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

3. For the brownies: While crust is baking, microwave butter and chocolate in bowl at 50% power, stirring often, until melted and smooth, 1 to 3 minutes; let cool slightly.

4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a second bowl. Whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla together in large bowl. Whisk chocolate mixture into sugar mixture until combined. Using rubber spatula, stir in flour mixture until just incorporated.

5. Transfer batter to pan with crust and smooth top. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 22 to 27 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. Remove pan from oven and heat broiler.

6. Sprinkle brownies evenly with a single layer of marshmallows. Return brownies to oven and broil until marshmallows are lightly browned, 1 to 3 minutes. (Watch oven constantly; marshmallows will melt slightly but should hold their shape.) Immediately remove pan from oven. Let brownies cook completely in pan on wire rack, about 2 hours.

7. Using foil overhang, remove brownies from pan. Slide foil out from under brownies. Spray knife with vegetable oil spray to prevent marshmallows from sticking. Cut into 16 squares. Serve.

Source: “Everything Chocolate” from America’s Test Kitchen

Award-winning food writer Cathy Thomas has written three cookbooks, including “50 Best Plants on the Planet.” Follow her at @CathyThomas Cooks.com.

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By BRADLEY IGER, Edmunds

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about roses and candlelight — it’s about chemistry. The kind you feel instantly, irrationally, and sometimes against your better judgment. People have chemistry with cars too. Some lure you in with their rogue spirit and self-assurance, others charm you with confidence and poise, and a few will leave you wondering why you can’t stop thinking about them days later. The car experts at Edmunds have identified five vehicles with distinct personality traits. With a bit of matchmaking luck, perhaps one of them will be the next automotive love of your life. All of the following prices include destination fees.

Emotional availability: Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86

This photo provided by Toyota shows the 2026 GR86, a rear-wheel-drive coupe that’s low on practicality but high on driving excitement. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)

Developed in a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota, the BRZ and GR86 are corporate siblings that deliver genuine driving excitement at a price that remains accessible. Simplicity, balance, and the ability to create a genuine connection with the driver are hallmarks of a great driver’s car, and these two rear-wheel-drive coupes nail the assignment. The two cars are very similar, so we wouldn’t blame you for choosing one over the other based on looks or brand preference. They might be light on cargo capacity and backseat space, but you’ll have a hard time finding a better fun-per-dollar proposition elsewhere.

2026 Subaru BRZ starting price: $37,055

2026 Toyota GR86 starting price: $32,395

Confidence but not arrogance: Ford Maverick

This photo provided by Ford shows the 2026 Maverick pickup. With its compact size, easy-to-use bed and standard hybrid powertrain, the Maverick provides enough functionality that most people will ever need. (Courtesy of Edmunds via AP)

Today’s pickups are more rugged and capable than ever before, but not everyone needs a 15-ton towing capacity or a cabin seemingly bigger than a New York City apartment. That’s where the Ford Maverick comes in. With compact dimensions, a low starting price, and a standard hybrid powertrain, the Ford Maverick is a truck that’s easy to drive and inexpensive to own. Its design is straightforward and purposeful, avoiding extravagances and bravado in favor of efficiency and real-world utility. And if you do need to do truck stuff, the Maverick can oblige with its small-but-useful cargo bed and maximum 4,000-pound towing capacity. ​

2026 Maverick starting price: $29,990

Rebelliousness: Ford Mustang Dark Horse

This photo provided by Ford shows the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse. With a 500-horsepower V8 and a tech-filled interior, the Dark Horse is an impressive performance coupe. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP)

The Ford Mustang Dark Horse is a performance car that rails against modern conventions. While Chevrolet and Ford have given up making muscle cars, Ford is still going strong with this top-shelf Mustang that has a 500-horsepower V8, standout styling, a track-tuned suspension, and a boisterous exhaust note. What’s more, the V8 can still be paired with a six-speed manual transmission — a reminder that classic combinations tend to endure. Its unruly nature might land you in hot water from time to time, and you’ll probably spend more time at the gas pump than you’d prefer, but the grin it will put on your face makes this one worth the trouble.

2026 Mustang Dark Horse starting price: $66,075

Sense of adventure: Jeep Wrangler

This photo provided by Jeep shows the 2026 Wrangler, which holds timeless appeal with its legendary off-road capability and free-spirited vibe. (Courtesy of Stellantis via AP)

If you’re seeking a cohort that’s ready to head off the beaten path at a moment’s notice, it’s tough to beat the free-spirited vibe and go-anywhere attitude of the Jeep Wrangler. Available in a number of trims ranging from the Sport’s no-nonsense simplicity to the more civilized and luxurious Sahara or the over-the-top exuberance of the Rubicon 392, the Wrangler’s timeless appeal is owed to its legendary off-road capability as well as its surprisingly adaptable personality. With a bit of effort, you can remove the Jeep’s top and even its doors. It’s far from the most pragmatic choice out there, but there’s something to be said for a companion that’s down for a good time whenever the urge strikes.

2026 Wrangler starting price: $36,890

Reliability: Honda CR-V

This photo provided by Honda shows the 2026 CR-V. The CR-V offers a comfortable ride and a roomy interior but may endear you the most with its dependability. (Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. via AP)

Honda’s CR-V doesn’t have the adventure-seeking appeal of the Wrangler or the bad-boy spontaneity of the Mustang, but it has other qualities that you’ll love over the long term. When it comes down to it, reliability is a bedrock of a stable, trusting relationship. And with its 4.5 out of 5 star RepairPal reliability rating, the Honda CR-V is clearly in it for the long haul. On top of that, the CR-V offers a comfortable ride, a roomy interior, and an available hybrid powertrain for great mpg. The CR-V’s dependability could be more valuable than an attractive facade that keeps you guessing.

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2026 CR-V starting price: $32,370

Edmunds says

Cars and relationships have more in common than you might think: Both can excite, empower and occasionally frustrate. The perfect match — be it behind the wheel or across the table — is the one whose personality keeps you smiling on every mile of the journey.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Bradley Iger is a contributor at Edmunds.