Atle Lie McGrath, the silver medalist from the World Championships, faced a significant emotional setback following his performance in the slalom event at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. During the first run, he excelled in challenging blizzard conditions, leading with a remarkable time that put him ahead of his nearest competitor, Swiss skier Loïc Meillard, by 0.59 seconds. McGrath was viewed as a strong contender for the gold medal due to his outstanding performance leading up to the event.

However, everything changed during the second run when McGrath encountered a mistake that dashed his hopes for a top finish. Frustrated, he threw his poles in anger and appeared visibly upset as he made his way into the nearby woods, which bordered the ski course. Once in the woods, he lay down in a pile of snow, allowing himself a moment to process the disappointing turn of events without interruption from the event volunteers who respected his need for solitude.

Eventually, McGrath returned to the course's finish area, where he crossed the finish line with his fist raised, signaling his resilience despite the setback. He chose not to engage with the media afterward, reflecting a clear desire to cope with his emotions privately. Meanwhile, Loïc Meillard triumphed in the competition, marking an impressive performance that added to the emotional highs and lows of the event as athletes prepared for the upcoming Olympic challenges.