Loïc Meillard of Switzerland secured the gold medal in the men’s slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, finishing with a time of 1:53.61. The victory marks the first Olympic slalom gold for a Swiss male skier since 1948.
Fabio Gstrein of Austria claimed the silver medal, while Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen took bronze. Meillard’s win comes after a strong performance throughout the World Cup season, where he has consistently ranked among the top slalom and giant slalom competitors.
Meillard, born October 29, 1996, in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, debuted on the World Cup circuit in January 2015. He has since accumulated nine World Cup victories – six in giant slalom, two in slalom, and one in parallel giant slalom – and a total of 34 podium finishes. He was the men’s slalom champion at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and also won silver in the team combined and bronze in giant slalom at the same games.
The Swiss skier’s Olympic success builds on a decorated career that includes six medals at the World Championships, two of which are gold. He has represented Switzerland in three Olympic Games – 2018, 2022, and 2026 – and five World Championships, from 2017 to 2025.
Meillard’s gold medal is being hailed as a key moment in what many are calling a “golden era” for Swiss Alpine skiing. He finished second overall in the 2024 World Cup standings and won the Parallel discipline title in 2020. His consistent performance and Olympic triumph are expected to further elevate the profile of Swiss skiing on the international stage.
The Swiss Ski Federation has yet to release a formal statement regarding Meillard’s victory beyond initial congratulations posted on social media. No immediate plans for a national celebration have been announced.
