World Champion in Slalom: Loic Meillard. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

Loic Meillard writes Swiss World Cup history

The Swiss ski aces win another gold medal at the Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.

16. February 2025

From: cst

Unbelievable but true: For the first time since 1950, Switzerland has a slalom world champion! Loic Meillard won the last competition at the Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm and took gold in the slalom. For the Swiss, it is the 5th gold medal (and the 13th in total) at this Ski World Championships.

In the first run, Meillard was the only athlete within striking distance of the leader Clement Noel. Because the Frenchman showed nerves in the final and got tangled up on the final slope, the question of who would have been faster in the end remains unanswered. While the World Championships ended in disappointment for Noel, Meillard can celebrate gold. Only two days ago, the all-rounder won bronze in the giant slalom.

Silver for McGrath, Bronze for Straßer – Weak Azzurri

Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) finished behind Meillard. The Scandinavian secured silver because he managed the finish slope much better than Linus Straßer. McGrath is 26 hundredths behind Meillard, while the German Straßer is 3 hundredths behind in third place. Austria's top slalom skier Manuel Feller has to settle for fourth place.

Once again Alex Vinatzer throws his hands together. The Val Gardena native is out. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

The World Championships ended with a disastrous result for Italy's slalom skiers. Stefano Gross (20th) is the only one who got a ranking in the second run. South Tyroleans Tobias Kastlunger and Alex Vinatzer both dropped out after losing a lot of time in the first run. A sobering end to the race in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. What remains is the conclusion that the Azzurri are currently not world class in slalom - even the occasional flash in the World Cup does not change that.