Winter Olympics 2026: Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath throws poles, lays down in snow after surprising DNF in slalom

Heading into Run 2 of the men’s slalom Monday, Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath was one of the favorites. McGrath finished with the best time in Run 1, putting him in a strong spot to finish on the podium before the day was done.

Due to McGrath’s excellent performance in Run 1, he was the last skier to take the course in Run 2. Medaling seemed within his grasp, as no skier matched McGrath’s time from the first run of the day.

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But disaster struck before McGrath could really get going. McGrath had trouble with a gate early in his run. Realizing his shot at a medal was over, McGrath stopped trying to ski the course and chucked both of his poles as far as he could. He then took off both his skis and walked off the course.

McGrath walked off the course, over the catch fence and onto an adjacent trail where he laid down in the snow by himself. The broadcast captured McGrath laying on his back, occasionally putting his hands over his face to the side of the course.

With McGrath out of the event, Switzerland’s Loic Meillard wound up taking the gold. Austria’s Fabio Gstrein won silver and Norway’s Henrik Kristofferen took home the bronze.

It’s already been a difficult Olympics for McGrath, who announced his grandfather died on the same day as the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. McGrath penned an emotional tribute to his grandfather on social media, and said he would “give it my all for” his grandfather at the Olympics.

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McGrath took part in both team events last Monday, where Norway finished 12th. He also competed in the giant slalom, where he finished fifth. The slalom has typically been his best event. McGrath took silver in the event at the 2025 World Championships, and seemed poised for a similarly strong finish in the slalom Monday. The gates had other plans.

It was a particularly tough day for DNFs on the course. During Run 1, more than half the men’s field failed to finish. McGrath was the exception early, but the course got the better of him the second time out.