Loic Meillard of Switzerland won gold in the men's slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Bormio, Italy, completing a medal sweep with his third podium of the Games. Norway's Atle Lie McGrath, who led after the first run, suffered a disqualification early in his second run and walked off the course in distress. Austria's Fabio Gstrein took silver, while teammate Henrik Kristoffersen earned bronze for Norway.
The men's slalom on February 16, 2026, at the Stelvio course in Bormio unfolded under challenging conditions, starting with heavy snow and poor visibility in the morning that led to 52 of 96 starters failing to finish the first run. Norway's Atle Lie McGrath set the pace with a time of 56.14 seconds, leading Switzerland's Loic Meillard by 0.59 seconds. Other notable first-run performances included Timon Haugan of Norway in fourth at 0.94 seconds back and Fabio Gstrein of Austria in fifth at 0.96 seconds behind.
By the afternoon, conditions improved to sunshine, but the pressure mounted for the second run. Meillard, the reigning world champion, delivered a strong performance to post a combined time of 1 minute, 53.61 seconds. Gstrein finished 0.35 seconds behind for silver, and Kristoffersen secured bronze 1.13 seconds off the pace. McGrath, starting last as the leader, straddled a gate just 15 seconds into his run, resulting in a did-not-finish (DNF) and ending his medal chances.
Distraught, the 25-year-old McGrath, born in Vermont to an American father and Norwegian mother, threw his poles over the netting, unstrapped his skis, and walked toward the woods for solitude. He later explained, “I just needed some time for myself,” noting photographers and police interrupted his peace. McGrath had been competing with grief after his grandfather, Svein Lie, died on the opening ceremony day; he wore an armband in tribute and had aimed to honor him with a medal.
Meillard, 29, added the gold to his team combined silver and giant slalom bronze, becoming the first Swiss man to win Olympic slalom since 1948. “It’s amazing... to make it again after last year’s World Championships,” he said, sympathizing with McGrath: “He would’ve deserved it as well... that’s part of slalom.” Kristoffersen, who led the 2018 slalom before skiing out, offered support: “We’re all different and we’re allowed to react in our own way... What are sports without the emotions?”
Among other incidents, Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the giant slalom gold medalist, crashed out in the first run. Switzerland dominated the men's alpine events with four golds out of five. McGrath later reflected, “I skied so great and I still couldn’t get it done, so that’s what really hurts,” calling it the worst moment of his career amid personal loss.
