Listen to this article
Approximately 3 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using artificial intelligence technology. Pronunciation errors may occur. We work with our partners to continually analyze and improve results.
US-born Atl Lee McGrath edged out Olympic champion Clement Noel to win the World Cup slalom event on Monday in Alta Badia, Italy.
In the last World Cup race before Christmas, Noel was first after a morning run but lost the lead early in the second run at the Gran Risa circuit.
McGrath, who competes for Team Norway, finished 0.30 seconds ahead of Noel with a two-run time of one minute 44.50 seconds and 39 to 100 seconds faster than third-placed Loïc Maillard, the world champion. In February, McGrath won silver, losing to Maillard.
“I'm incredibly happy. It seems absolutely crazy,” said McGrath, who said he missed out on a chance to win the slalom a month ago with a third-place finish in Gurgl, Austria.
At the finish line, he made his now signature gesture: he pushed his right ski from end to end and then caught it, in the style of former Swiss downhill great Didier Cuche.
McGrath now has four World Cup victories, all in slalom, where he has also finished second six times.
The 25-year-old Norwegian and Vermont native is shaping up to be a strong medal contender in slalom at the Milan-Cortina Olympics on Feb. 16 in Bormio.
Norwegian athlete Lee McGrath won the FIS men's slalom competition at the Alta Badia ski resort in South Tyrol, Italy.
“Better days are ahead,” says Noel
McGrath's father Felix competed for the United States at the 1988 Calgary Olympics in slalom and giant slalom.
“My skiing is good at the moment and it will be even better in January,” Noel said, adding that he is looking forward to “good food and good wine” with his family over the holidays.
Calgary's Eric Reid was the only Canadian in the competition and did not finish the first heat.
Timon Hogan maintained his lead in the World Cup Slalom standings throughout the season, finishing fourth, 0.53 behind his Norwegian teammate McGrath.
Hogan moved up in the overall World Cup standings to second behind four-time defending champion Marco Odermatt, who is not competing in the slalom.
Odermatt's closest rival was Marco Schwarz, who failed to finish on Monday after winning the classic giant slalom on Sunday.
The next men's World Cup race will also take place on Saturday in Italy – the super-G in Livigno. It's close to Bormio, where all the men's mountain races at the Olympics will take place.
McGrath rarely competes in super-G events and said he also plans to do some cross-country skiing before his next World Cup event. The slalom is scheduled for January 7 in Madonna di Campiglio, also in Italy.
Watch the final run of the FIS Slalom World Cup at the Alta Badia ski resort in South Tyrol, Italy.
