Vermont-Born Favorite Atle Lie McGrath's Olympic Slalom Heartbreak: Gold Slips Away Amid Grandfather's Death

Seeking peace, McGrath retreats from cameras—yet media viciously dubs it an Olympic "meltdown." He was a lock for the gold going into his final run.

Atle Lie McGrath entered the men’s slalom at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as the World Cup slalom leader and overwhelming favorite for gold. The 25-year-old Norwegian skier, born in Burlington, Vermont, to American father Felix McGrath (a former U.S. Ski Team member) and Norwegian mother Selma Lie (a former UVM cross-country skier), had dominated the season with victories at Alta Badia and Wengen.

On February 16, 2026, McGrath delivered what experts called a masterclass performance during the first run on the challenging Stelvio course in Bormio, Italy. Despite blizzard conditions that eliminated over 50 athletes, McGrath established a commanding 0.59-second lead over Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard, placing the gold medal within reach.

The Technical Failure

McGrath’s Olympic dreams ended approximately 15 seconds into his final run when he committed what’s known as a “straddle” - a technical error where a ski passes on the wrong side of a gate base. The mistake occurred right in front of what appeared to be a Swiss coach, who celebrated because the error meant gold for Meillard.

Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard capitalized on McGrath’s error, delivering what observers described as a “measured and clinical” final run to claim Switzerland’s first Olympic men’s slalom gold since 1948. Austria’s Fabio Gstrein took silver, while Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen earned bronze.

The Emotional Response

Following his disqualification, McGrath displayed visible frustration, throwing his ski poles and lying in the snow before walking toward the woods surrounding the course. International media outlets characterized his reaction as an “Olympic meltdown” and described him as having “lost control of his emotions.”

However, McGrath later explained his actions differently. He told reporters he needed “some time for myself” to escape the cameras and seek “peace and quiet.” His teammate Timon Haugan noted that McGrath had been “really sad” and that the team needed to “really back him up,” while bronze medalist Henrik Kristoffersen emphasized that such emotional reactions are a “natural part” of elite skiing.

The Grief Context

A critical factor largely overlooked in sensationalized coverage was McGrath’s recent personal loss. His grandfather, Svein Lie, died on the day of the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Svein Lie was a foundational figure in Norwegian sport, a cross-country legend who competed in the Birkebeinerrennet for 50 consecutive years and had introduced both McGrath and his mother to skiing.

McGrath had stated his goal of winning “gold in honor of his late grandfather” and wore a tribute armband during competition. Speaking to media after the race, McGrath acknowledged that he is “normally a guy that’s very good when it comes to perspective” but explained that his typical coping mechanism was unavailable because “that’s not been the case. I’ve lost someone I love so much.”

Vermont Media’s Notable Absence

Despite McGrath’s Burlington birthplace and deep family connections to Vermont skiing, local media coverage of the 2026 Games showed a striking omission. Vermont outlets extensively covered “Green Mountain State” athletes like Ben Ogden, Paula Moltzan, and Ryan Cochran-Siegle (also born in Burlington), but provided minimal coverage of McGrath’s performance or heartbreak.

This gap occurred despite McGrath’s significant Vermont connections and his status as one of the Games’ most compelling stories. The absence highlights how regional sports coverage often follows national flag loyalties rather than birthplace or family ties, even when an athlete’s story resonates with local skiing culture and tragedy.

Media Coverage Analysis

International coverage of McGrath’s reaction varied significantly in tone and context. While outlets accurately reported race results and biographical information, many employed dramatic language like “meltdown,” “high-tragic theater,” and suggested McGrath had “lost control.” Professional peers, including bronze medalist Kristoffersen, countered this narrative, noting that such outbursts are common in high-stakes alpine racing.

The focus on McGrath’s emotional display overshadowed technical analysis of his performance strategy. His aggressive “full attack” approach - a conscious tactical decision following early-season non-finishes - was largely ignored in favor of dramatic imagery of his post-race reaction.

Historical Context

McGrath’s experience reflects the volatile nature of Olympic slalom competition. The discipline has a history of first-run leaders failing to finish, including Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. Kristoffersen himself noted that the outcome “won’t define McGrath’s career” and emphasized the routine nature of such disappointments in professional skiing.

What Happens Next

McGrath will likely continue competing on the World Cup circuit, where his season-leading performance suggests continued success potential. His emotional response, while widely publicized, represents a normal reaction within professional skiing culture, particularly given the context of acute grief.

For Vermont media, McGrath’s story raises questions about how regional outlets define “local” athletes in an increasingly globalized sporting landscape. As skiing becomes more international, with athletes like McGrath representing countries different from their birthplace, coverage decisions may need to evolve beyond simple flag-following.