The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games approach their alpine skiing finale with the men's slalom on February 16 and the women's on February 18. Favorites from Brazil, Norway, France, and Switzerland lead the men's field, while the U.S., Switzerland, and Slovakia vie for women's honors. These races promise drama following standout performances earlier in the week.
After eight memorable finals, the alpine skiing competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games narrows to its last two events: the men's slalom on Monday, February 16, and the women's slalom on Wednesday, February 18. A large field of competitors will vie for Olympic podium spots in both races.
In the men's event, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil, skiing for Atomic, enters as a top contender after securing gold in the giant slalom on Saturday in Bormio. His victory marked the first Winter Olympic medal for Brazil and South America. Braathen holds second place in the World Cup slalom standings with 451 points.
Norway's Atle Lie McGrath, with Head equipment, leads the standings by one point at 452. McGrath has faced personal challenges, including the loss of his grandfather early in the Games, but family presence has provided support. He shared with media after the giant slalom: “I was very happy to see them. It gave me such a boost and strength. They're here watching me, and I'm just going to do what I can. That's what I did, I just gave it my all. It gives me such a good feeling that I tried."
France's Clement Noel, on Dynastar and the Beijing Olympic champion, sits third in the World Cup rankings. He noted: “It feels really good to head in as the defending champion but it doesn’t change my gameplan for these Olympics. It’s always a really special race – I will just try to ski my best. The pressure will be high but it is for all the athletes. I just hope to ski my best ski and try to get a medal.” Teammate Paco Rassat, with Head, ranks sixth.
Switzerland's Loic Meillard (Rossignol) and Tanguy Nef (Atomic) aim to build on their earlier medals. Other notable entrants include Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen (Van Deer) and Timon Haugan (Van Deer), plus Austria's Manuel Feller (Atomic).
For the women, the two-day break allows recovery before the slalom in Cortina. Mikaela Shiffrin of the USA, with Atomic, seeks to convert her strong World Cup form into success after missing medals in prior events, including the team combined. She said: “There's a certain amount of luck when it goes right, but there's also a feeling that I'm going to work, to achieve for the slalom race coming up.”
Switzerland's Camille Rast and Wendy Holdener, both on Head, rank second and third in the World Cup, with Holdener holding a Beijing bronze. Austria's Katharina Truppe (Voelkl), Albania's Lara Colturi (Blizzard), and the USA's Paula Moltzan (Rossignol) also target top-three finishes. Sweden's Sara Hector (Head) and Norway's Thea Louise Stjernesund (Rossignol), recent silver medalists, remain in contention. Slovakia's Petra Vlhova (Rossignol), the reigning Olympic champion, returns without added pressure following her team combined appearance.
