Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath secured victory at the Wengen World Cup slalom event for the second year in a row, solidifying his position as a top contender for the upcoming Olympics. McGrath extended his lead from the first run and finished 0.47 seconds ahead of his close friend Lucas Pinheiro Braathen from Brazil, a Norwegian-born skier, and 0.81 seconds ahead of his teammate Henrik Kristoffersen. This marked McGrath’s fifth career win and 19th podium finish on the World Cup circuit. He previously claimed silver in the slalom event at last season’s world championships and had already won a slalom race in Alta Badia, Italy, earlier in the season.
Expressing his joy, McGrath described the victory as a remarkable achievement, especially competing alongside Braathen and Kristoffersen, whom he considers exceptional athletes. With two more slalom races remaining before the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina on Feb. 6, McGrath’s performance has showcased his potential as a strong contender for the upcoming prestigious event. McGrath comes from a family with a rich skiing background; his father, Felix, participated in the 1988 Calgary Olympics for the U.S., while his Norwegian mother excelled in cross-country skiing at the University of Vermont.
During the race, McGrath demonstrated precision in maneuvering through the gates and displayed exceptional speed on the challenging sections of the course, ultimately widening his lead. Emulating a move from retired Swiss skiing legend Didier Cuche, McGrath celebrated his victory by kicking off his ski and catching it at the finish line. Reflecting on his performance, McGrath mentioned taking calculated risks and highlighted the second run as one of the best in his career.
After the race, McGrath and Braathen, who coincidentally share the same age and were born just two days apart, shared a heartfelt embrace, reminiscing about their journey in skiing from a young age. Kristoffersen also had a reason to celebrate as he marked his 100th career podium finish, adding another milestone to his successful skiing career.