Olympic Slalom Ends in Dramatic Heartbreak and Historic Farewell
The men's slalom competition at the Winter Olympics delivered emotional drama on multiple fronts as Norwegian contender Atle Lie McGrath saw his gold medal hopes evaporate in a devastating crash, Swiss skier Loïc Meillard seized an unexpected championship, and British legend Dave "Rocket" Ryding completed his final Olympic run.
McGrath's Devastating Exit From Medal Contention
Entering his final run with victory within reach, Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath experienced every athlete's nightmare when he straddled a gate during the slalom competition. The technical error immediately eliminated him from medal contention, transforming what had been a promising performance into heartbreaking disappointment.
In a moment of raw emotion, McGrath threw his poles across the slope before trudging toward the tree line, where television cameras captured him lying on his back with hands occasionally covering his face. The Norwegian had hoped to honor his grandfather, who passed away on the day of the opening ceremony, with a gold medal performance.
"That's part of slalom, that's part of sport," said eventual champion Loïc Meillard, acknowledging McGrath's season-long dominance. "Atle Lie would have deserved it as well, he was the best skier this season."
Meillard Claims Switzerland's First Men's Slalom Gold Since 1948
With McGrath's unexpected exit, Switzerland's Loïc Meillard capitalized on the opportunity to secure his nation's first men's Olympic slalom championship in over seven decades. His combined time of 1 minute 53.61 seconds edged Austrian competitor Fabio Gstrein by just 0.35 seconds, while Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen claimed the bronze medal position.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Swiss skiing, ending a 76-year drought in Olympic men's slalom competition. Meillard's performance demonstrated remarkable consistency across both runs, maintaining composure as other top contenders faced challenges on the demanding Bormio course.
Ryding's Emotional Farewell to Olympic Competition
British skiing icon Dave "Rocket" Ryding completed his fifth and final Olympic appearance with a 17th-place finish, concluding a remarkable career that defied conventional pathways to elite skiing success. The 39-year-old acknowledged the physical toll of his extensive career, stating "I said I would ski race until my legs fall off and I think they pretty much have."
Despite falling short of his desired swansong performance, Ryding leaves competitive skiing as Britain's most accomplished skier in history. His journey began on a 50-meter dry-ski slope in Pendle, Lancashire, where he would dodge sheep during training sessions. "I did it a totally different way and you probably say it was a one in a million shot," he reflected. "But I proved that you can do it."
From Market Trader's Son to World Cup Champion
Ryding's background contrasts sharply with skiing's traditionally privileged image. The son of a market trader and a hairdresser, he didn't experience snow skiing until age twelve, when his working-class parents promised a family skiing holiday if he and his sister reached a competent level. His unconventional path included training sessions interrupted by sheep wandering across the slope.
The British skier's historic 2022 World Cup victory in Kitzbuhel marked the first such achievement by any British skier, cementing his legacy despite funding challenges. When UK Sport initially eliminated skiing funding entirely in 2022 before partially restoring it, Ryding chose to allocate his £80,000 annual support to help teammates including Billy Major travel to competitions.
Looking Toward the Future
Although retiring from Olympic competition, Ryding plans to remain involved in skiing as a mentor and coach for Britain's next generation of athletes. "I've proven that you can win on the World Cup and I really think the next 15 years can do it," he stated, expressing confidence in emerging talents like Billy Major and Laurie Taylor.
The veteran skier emphasized the importance of sustained support from UK Sport for developing athletes, noting Britain's recent successes in Youth Olympic and World Junior Championship competitions. "I will do everything I can to keep the support going for the next generation," he pledged, while acknowledging the need to balance this commitment with family life after years of extensive travel.
As for his own future athletic pursuits, Ryding has already identified a new challenge: improving his parkrun personal best of 16 minutes 54 seconds. "For sure, I don't think I'll get a dad bod too soon," he quipped, suggesting his competitive spirit will continue beyond Olympic skiing.
The dramatic slalom competition highlighted both the unpredictable nature of alpine skiing and the profound personal journeys that define Olympic competition, from McGrath's heartbreaking near-miss to Ryding's inspirational career conclusion and Meillard's historic breakthrough victory.
