'Relieved' McGrath claims career first crystal globe in slalom / Photo: Cornelius Poppe - NTB/AFP
'Relieved' McGrath claims career first crystal globe in slalom
Atle Lie McGrath wrapped up the men's slalom World Cup title on Wednesday as he held off the challenge from a rampant Lucas Pinheiro Braathen to secure the first small globe of his career.
The 25-year-old Norwegian finished eighth in the season-ending slalom in his home country, with the 32 points earned enough to ensure his place atop the standings for the discipline.
He finished on 584 points, 64 ahead of France's Clement Noel with Olympic giant slalom champion Pinheiro Braathen a further nine points adrift in third.
It was a cathartic moment for the Norwegian as he claimed the title, a month on from the death of his grandfather and then skiing out of the slalom at the Milan-Cortina Olympics where images of him wandering off into the woods beside the piste in search of solitude went viral.
"I am just so relieved. The past months after the Olympics have been some of the toughest, but also some of the most rewarding I've ever had in my life," a tearful McGrath said.
"I really miss my grandfather today. I wish he was here with me, but I know he's watching."
McGrath had led Pinheiro Braathen by 41 points in the standings heading into the final race of the season in Lillehammer.
The Norwegian endured a cautious second run which sent him into, at best, fourth on the day, just before his main rival for the crown, Pinheiro Braathen, set off.
But the 25-year-old Brazilian did his former roommate a favour as he committed an error at the top of his run and did not finish.
Noel went immediately after Pinheiro Braathen and finished off top spot, meaning McGrath could no longer be reeled in at the top of the discipline's standing.
The Norwegian celebrated his first career small globe with a hug at the bottom of the piste with his long-time friend and rival Pinheiro Braathen.
"It's the best day of my life, really... To win a globe and win my first one is so tough, and to do it at home," McGrath said.
"I've been going the past two weeks not sleeping, struggling to eat, because I knew this day was coming."
He had even more reason to be nervous after Pinheiro Braathen on Tuesday had overhauled a points difference to the dominant Marco Odermatt to claim the giant slalom World Cup title.
But he was unable to pull off the feat a second time as Norway's Timon Haugan won Wednesday's race, with Loic Meillard of Switzerland and Finn Eduard Hallberg completing the podium.
"It's very emotional to see someone that you've shared so much of the journey (with) succeed," Pinheiro Braathen said.
"Especially with how this year's gone down with his Olympic experience and the other tough thing that's happened in his life.
"And it was the first thing I told him: all of these things, they happen for a reason. They're payments for rewards that come in the future and he's living that right now."
(D.Khanyile--TPT)
