KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia — From Olympic despair in a course-side forest to a joyous win in the World Cup.
Atle Lie McGrath ’s emotions came full circle Sunday when he protected his first-run lead to win a tough and sun-baked World Cup slalom by just 0.01 seconds.
It was the first men’s slalom since McGrath's emotional exit at the Milan Cortina Olympics three weeks ago when he skied out of the race he was set to win.
Then, the Norwegian racer famously hiked across the mountain side to cool off alone beneath the trees lining the course in Bormio, Italy.
On Sunday, McGrath was greeted in the finish area by his teammate Henrik Kristoffersen, runner-up by the minimum margin, and his childhood friend Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who was third by just 0.04.
McGrath’s emotions had been heightened at the Olympics because his grandfather had died in the week the games opened. He dedicated this victory to him.
“To bounce back like this after the Olympics, I think he has something to do with it. He was looking over me today,” the Vermont-born racer said.
McGrath also extended his lead in the season-long slalom standings over Pinheiro Braathen ahead of a decisive race on March 24 at the course where they raced as kids in Norway.
“Me and Lucas we grew up skiing together in Hafjell,” McGrath said. “So it has a lot of special memories and it’s going to be a pretty cool fight.”
It was a heated battle Sunday in snow-melting temperatures that hit 11 Celsius (52 Fahrenheit) in the early afternoon.
McGrath’s second run was just the 27th fastest of the 29 skiers who completed the race.
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