Slalom heartbreak sparks McGrath’s trudge to the woods as Ryding bids farewell
Guardian Sport
by Sean Ingle at the Stelvio Ski CentreFebruary 16, 2026
Meillard takes title after Norwegian loses grip on gold
39-year-old Briton finishes 17th in final Olympic race
As the Rocket zigged and zagged for a fifth and final time at a Winter Olympics on Monday, another skier made a very different kind of exit.
Coming into the final run of the men’s slalom, the Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath knew that victory was there for the taking – until he straddled a gate. Gold was gone. A heartbroken McGrath – who had hoped to deliver victory in honour of his grandfather who died on the day of the opening ceremony – threw his poles as far as he could and trudged across the slope into the woods.
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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/16/2026