In a dramatic conclusion to the alpine skiing program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Austria’s Fabio Gstrein claimed a hard-fought silver medal in the men’s slalom on February 16, delivering one of the standout performances of the Games.
The 28-year-old from Zams stormed down the Stelvio course in Bormio with precision and composure in his second run, posting a combined time of 1:53.96 to secure second place—just 0.35 seconds behind Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard, who took gold in 1:53.61 to complete his personal Olympic medal collection. Norway’s veteran Henrik Kristoffersen rounded out the podium with bronze (+1.13).
Gstrein, who started the day in third after Run 1, produced a flawless and aggressive second leg that briefly placed him in the leader’s chair, igniting Austrian hopes in what had been a challenging Olympics for the powerhouse nation in individual men’s events. His silver marks Austria’s only individual medal on the men’s side in alpine skiing at these Games and stands as the biggest achievement of Gstrein’s career to date.
“This silver means everything—it’s my first Olympic medal, and to get it here in such a tight, intense race feels incredible,” Gstrein said post-race, highlighting the pressure and satisfaction of delivering under the spotlight.
The event was filled with high drama: early leader Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) straddled a gate in Run 2, opening the door for the chasing pack. Meillard’s late charge proved decisive, but Gstrein’s consistency and speed ensured Austria avoided a medal shutout in the men’s individual disciplines.
Congratulations to Fabio Gstrein on a breakthrough moment that will resonate in Austrian skiing for years to come. A true display of grit and skill on the Olympic stage!
