Switzerland’s Loic Meillard delivered a remarkable performance in the second run to clinch victory in the men’s slalom event on Monday, marking a disappointing day for Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who fell during his first run, thus ending his chances for another Olympic gold medal.
This event wrapped up the men’s Alpine skiing segment at the Milan Cortina Games.
Meillard’s triumph adds a gold medal to his previous achievements of a silver in the team combined event and a bronze in the giant slalom.
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Meillard completed the two runs with a combined time of 1 minute and 53.61 seconds, finishing ahead of Austria’s Fabio Gstrein by 0.35 seconds, while Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen secured the bronze. The conditions varied significantly between runs, with morning snow and fog transforming into sunny weather by the afternoon.
Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath, who led after the first run, straddled a gate and was disqualified. Frustrated, he threw his ski poles over the netting before walking away from the course, where he sat briefly before lying back in exhaustion.
McGrath has been competing under emotional strain, having lost his grandfather on the day of the opening ceremony, and he wore an armband in memory of him.
Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath races during the men’s slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre on Monday in Bormio, Italy. (Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
Pinheiro Braathen made history by securing a gold in the giant slalom on Saturday, becoming the first South American to earn a medal at a Winter Olympics. However, his hopes for another medal were dashed when he lost control during a fast first run. Originally representing Norway, he switched allegiance to Brazil, his mother’s country.
Switzerland topped the men’s Alpine skiing medal standings in Bormio with a total of eight medals (four gold, two silver, and two bronze), while Austria and Italy each secured two medals (both silver for Austria and one silver and one bronze for Italy). Brazil, the U.S., and Norway each took home one medal.
The snowy conditions created challenges during the morning races. The competition featured 96 athletes, many from countries not typically known for skiing. Out of the 96 participants, 49 did not finish, two were disqualified, and one did not start.
For Greek skier AJ Ginnis, the day served as a ceremonial farewell as he dealt with the aftermath of an ankle surgery that did not heal as expected, preventing him from competing at his best. “Standing here today, reflecting on everything ski racing has provided me—such as a college degree, security, and lifelong friendships—it’s surreal,” Ginnis expressed.
Among the competitors were Henri Rivers IV from Jamaica, Faiz Basha from Singapore, and Lasse Gaxiola from Mexico. Gaxiola’s mother, Sarah Schleper, previously competed in the super-G and giant slalom events in Cortina.