Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard delivered a masterful performance to secure the gold medal in the men’s slalom, capping off the Alpine skiing program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a dramatic and historic victory.
The 29-year-old Swiss skier posted a combined two-run time of 1:53.61 at the Stelvio Ski Centre, edging out Austria’s Fabio Gstrein by 0.35 seconds for silver (1:53.96) and Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen for bronze (1:54.74). It marked Meillard’s first Olympic gold medal and Switzerland’s first in men’s slalom since 1948.
Meillard, who started the second run in second place trailing Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath after the opening leg, unleashed a stunning final run to apply immense pressure on the leaders. McGrath, holding the early advantage, suffered a heartbreaking straddle on a gate early in his second descent, dashing his gold-medal hopes and opening the door for Meillard to surge to the top.
This triumph completes a remarkable medal collection for Meillard at these Games: bronze in the giant slalom, silver in the team combined, and now gold in slalom—his third podium finish of Milano Cortina 2026. The victory also underscores Switzerland’s dominance in men’s Alpine events, contributing to their strong medal haul.
The event was not without its surprises elsewhere, including a first-run fall by Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who had earlier made history with a giant slalom gold.
Meillard’s achievement has been celebrated widely, with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) hailing it as the completion of a full set of Olympic medals for the Swiss standout at these Games. His resilience and skill have solidified his status as one of alpine skiing’s premier talents.
As the men’s Alpine program concludes, Meillard’s golden moment stands as a fitting highlight of an intense and unpredictable competition on the iconic Italian slopes. 🇨🇭🥇
