In a thrilling finale to the men’s Alpine skiing program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard claimed the gold medal in the slalom on February 16, securing a complete set of Olympic medals and capping one of the most dominant individual performances of the Games.
The 29-year-old from Neuchâtel delivered a masterful second run under shifting conditions—morning fog and snow giving way to afternoon sunshine—to finish with a combined time of 1:53.61. He edged out Austria’s Fabio Gstrein by 0.35 seconds for silver (1:53.96), while Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen took bronze (1:54.74).
This victory marks Meillard’s third podium finish at these Olympics: bronze in the giant slalom and silver in the team combined. By adding gold in his signature discipline, the reigning world slalom champion from 2025 achieved what few skiers ever do—a full collection of 🥇🥈🥉 at a single Games.
“It’s crazy,” Meillard said post-race. “After last year’s world title, to leave with all the medals here, including Olympic gold in slalom—it’s unbelievable.”
The race was filled with high drama. Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath led after the first run but straddled a gate early in his second, crashing out and handing the door wide open for the field. Meillard, skiing near the end as one of the top seeds, seized the moment with precise, aggressive lines on the Stelvio Ski Centre course.
This gold is historic for Switzerland: the first men’s Olympic slalom title since 1948 on home snow in St. Moritz. Meillard’s performance underscores the depth of Swiss Alpine skiing, which secured four golds in Alpine events at these Games.
As the men’s Alpine program wrapped up in Bormio, Meillard stood atop the podium once more, arms raised in triumph. From bronze to silver to gold, his Milano Cortina journey has been nothing short of legendary—a true champion completing the ultimate collection.
What a way to close the chapter. Loïc Meillard: Olympic hero, medal collector, and now forever etched in Alpine history. ✨⛷️
