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River Radamus, a two-time Olympian, was the only American representing his nation in the competition.
MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — On Monday, Team Switzerland celebrated another gold medal triumph at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, this time in the men’s giant slalom event for Alpine skiing.
Swiss athlete Loic Meillard emerged victorious in the two-run challenge. As the second-to-last skier, Meillard clinched the gold, overtaking Austria’s Fabio Gstrein, who secured the silver medal. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen finished strong to take home the bronze.
River Radamus was the single competitor from Team USA in this event, bringing his experience as a two-time Olympian.
Unfortunately, despite his past Olympic achievements, Radamus did not finish his first run. He joined over 50 skiers who were unable to complete the course within the two-run format.
Radamus was up against stiff competition from European competitors, but was expected to at least finish, as he had previously won the World Championship mixed team parallel gold in 2023 and has podiumed once at the World Cup and a few times at the Junior World Championships, according to the Olympics.
He competed in the men’s team combined downhill event with Coloradoan Kyle Negomir earlier in the 2026 Games. They finished in 16th place.
How does slalom work?
Slalom is where skiers zigzag through tightly spaced gates, made up of plastic poles, with quick reflexes.
Athletes have to ski down a vertical descent, 180m to 220m for men and 140m to 180m for women, and pass through each gate.
Each run is timed, and winners are determined by the fastest combined score or single run, depending on the event. One mistake can mean the difference between standing on the podium and leaving empty-handed.
The competitor with the lowest combined time across the two courses is deemed the winner.
Alpine skiing has been a staple of the Winter Games for decades, drawing global attention for its combination of athleticism and risk. The 2026 Olympics continued that tradition, offering fans a thrilling display of speed and control on the slopes of northern Italy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.