Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath secured victory at the Wengen World Cup slalom on Sunday for the second year in a row, solidifying his position as a top contender for the upcoming Olympics. McGrath, originally from the United States, extended his lead from the first run and crossed the finish line 0.47 seconds ahead of his close friend Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, a Norwegian skier now representing Brazil, and 0.81 seconds ahead of his teammate Henrik Kristoffersen.
With this win, McGrath notched his fifth career victory and 19th podium finish on the World Cup circuit. He had previously clinched the silver medal in the slalom event at last season’s world championships and claimed another slalom triumph in Alta Badia, Italy, last month.
Reflecting on his success, McGrath described the race as legendary and expressed his elation at sharing the podium with Braathen and Kristoffersen. Looking ahead, McGrath’s focus now shifts to the remaining two slalom events before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics kick off on February 6, with the next competition taking place in Bormio.
McGrath’s family background is deeply rooted in skiing, with his father Felix competing for the U.S. at the 1988 Calgary Olympics in slalom and giant slalom, while his Norwegian mother excelled in cross-country skiing at the University of Vermont. During the Wengen race, McGrath demonstrated a strategic approach by navigating the gates carefully in both runs and then accelerating on the steepest section of the Männlichen course to widen his lead.
In a post-race interview, McGrath shared his mindset of taking calculated risks, emphasizing the importance of pushing boundaries to achieve success. His exceptional performance in the second run was hailed as one of the highlights of his career. As the competition concluded, McGrath and Braathen, both aged 25 and born just two days apart, celebrated with a heartfelt embrace, reminiscing on their shared skiing journey from a young age.
Kristoffersen also had cause for celebration, reaching a significant milestone with his 100th career podium finish. The camaraderie and competitive spirit displayed by these talented skiers set an inspiring tone for the upcoming Winter Olympics.