Slalom set to bring Olympic alpine action to an unmissable close

Feb 15, 2026·Alpine Skiing

Mikaela Shiffrin is just one going in search of gold @FIS/ActionPress/Zsombor Czoma

And then there were two. After eight finals that will never be forgotten, we’re into the final two alpine events at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games. But both promise to deliver the stories, the memories and the drama on Monday and Wednesday.

The Men’s Slalom

A huge field will line up on Monday morning (16 February) in the hopes that their Games will end with the Olympic podium. But for one of the favourites, the top of the podium is where he has already made a home for himself in Bormio.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/Atomic) wrote himself and the nation of Brazil into the history books when he won the GS on Saturday, the first man from not only Brazil but also South America to win a medal of any colour at the Winter Olympics. He’s destined to take the belief of his victory into the slalom, where he sits second in the World Cup standings.

It's an indescribable feeling (hearing the Brazilian anthem) There is nothing about today where I am in a cognitive state whatsoever. I feel completely connected to my heart, the light inside of me, and it was with a free and pure state of mind that I performed today.– Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) reflects on victory

It’s certainly not a foregone conclusion though. Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head) leads the World Cup standings with 452 points to the 451 of the Brazilian. But for McGrath, it’s been a week that’s been about more than competition, having lost his grandfather at the beginning of these Games. Having his family members supporting him on the slopes has been a major boost amid such a tough week. He told the media after the GS: “I was very happy to see them. It gave me such a boost and strength. They're here watching me, and I'm just going to do what I can. That's what I did, I just gave it my all. It gives me such a good feeling that I tried."

The French duo of Clement Noel (FRA/Dynastar) and Paco Rassat (FRA/Head) are both well placed for a top three push, third and sixth respectively in World Cup season. For Noel, he heads in as the reigning Olympic champion from Beijing, but he doesn’t think it has changed too much in his preparations. “It feels really good to head in as the defending champion but it doesn’t change my gameplan for these Olympics. It’s always a really special race – I will just try to ski my best. The pressure will be high but it is for all the athletes. I just hope to ski my best ski and try to get a medal.”

Switzerland too will hope to add to their medal haul from earlier in competition, with Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol) and Tanguy Nef (SUI/Atomic) in action. They’ve got all three medal colours between them, and will fancy adding more.

Other contenders will include the might of the four-time Crystal Globe winner Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR/Van Deer), Timon Haugan (NOR/Van Deer) and Manuel Feller (AUT/Atomic).

Click here for the full startlist

The Women’s Slalom

With two full days between the giant slalom and the slalom, it will act as a chance for some to rest, recuperate and readjust for one final run in Cortina. And for USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin (USA/Atomic), she’ll be hoping to use these days as preparation to turn superb World Cup form into these Games. So far, it’s not gone perfectly for the slalom icon having missed out on medals, but Wednesday’s action is what Shiffrin does best. Having not made the podium in the team combined (where Shiffrin ran the slalom), she’s aiming for things to go right this time. “There's a certain amount of luck when it goes right, but there's also a feeling that I'm going to work, to achieve for the slalom race coming up.”

But Switzerland will fancy more medals here. Camille Rast (SUI/Head) and Wendy Holdener (SUI/Head) are second and third in the World Cup standings, with Holdener already having a bronze from Beijing in her collection. Katharina Truppe (AUT/Voelkl), Lara Colturi (ALB/Blizzard) and Paula Moltzan (USA/Rossignol) are also among those with ambitions of ending their Games inside that top three.

After reaching the medals on Sunday, don’t count out new silver medallists Sara Hector (SWE/Head) and Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR/Rossingol) who have been so impressive in Cortina already.

And then there is the reigning Olympic champion. Petra Vlhova (SVK/Rossignol) made her long-awaited return to competition in the team combined last week, and the 2022 gold medallist will compete on Wednesday free of expectations.

I don't have any expectations. I just want to be happy with myself, just to enjoy it, to ski well. The knee has to be healthy. Everything has to go well and then everything will be OK.– Petra Vlhova (SVK) looks ahead to Slalom