Loïc Meillard delivered a masterful performance to claim the bronze medal in the men’s giant slalom on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the iconic Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio, adding yet another highlight to Switzerland’s dominant showing at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 29-year-old technical specialist from Neuchâtel, Switzerland—known for his precision in slalom and giant slalom—put together two strong, consistent runs on the challenging, bumpy Stelvio course to secure third place. He finished behind historic gold medalist Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (Brazil, who made history as South America’s first Winter Olympic medalist with gold) and teammate Marco Odermatt (silver, his third medal of these Games).
Meillard’s bronze caps a remarkable day for Swiss alpine skiing: Odermatt silver, Meillard bronze, and another Swiss skier (Thomas Tumler) in fourth—proving the nation’s depth in the discipline is unmatched.
Starting from third after Run 1 (+1.57 seconds off the lead set by Pinheiro Braathen), Meillard attacked the second run with his trademark smoothness and aggression. He navigated the demanding gates flawlessly, holding off pressure from the field to lock in the podium spot in a combined time that kept him firmly in medal contention until the final skiers crossed the line.
This marks a significant Olympic achievement for Meillard, who has built an impressive career: multiple World Cup victories (including a recent giant slalom win in Schladming just weeks before the Games), World Championship medals, and now his first individual Olympic medal. He previously earned team combined silver earlier in these Olympics alongside Odermatt.
The race was electric from the start—Pinheiro Braathen blasted out of the gate with bib 1, posting a blistering 1:13.92 in Run 1 to lead Odermatt by nearly a second and Meillard by 1.57. The Swiss duo chased hard in the decisive leg, but the Brazilian held firm for the groundbreaking win.
Meillard’s bronze is a testament to his resilience and skill in technical events. As one of Switzerland’s top talents, he continues to elevate the sport alongside stars like Odermatt.
Huge congratulations to Loïc Meillard on this well-deserved Olympic bronze! 🇨🇭🥉 A fantastic result on a historic day for alpine skiing.
