Winter Olympics ace Atle Lie McGrath couldn’t hide his frustration following the final run of the men’s slalom alpine skiing final at the Milano-Cortina Games. McGrath had started the second of two runs as the course leader, and was dreaming of taking gold on the Italian slopes. 

It didn’t go to plan for the Norwegian, who missed one of the gates early on in his run, and was thrust out of the medal contention as a result. Understandably, the disappointment was all-consuming, as McGrath was spotted letting out some choice words before launching his ski poles over the fence in a fit of rage.

Thankfully, there were no spectators or staff in the immediate proximity, with the poles landing safely in a heap of snow. But McGrath wasn’t done there, as he trudged off the course before finding a spot next to the nearby forest where he lay down to reflect on his mistake.

It meant that Switzerland’s Loic Meillard took the gold. Austria’s Fabio Gstrein won silver, and Norway’s Henrik Kristofferen ended up with an unexpected bronze. Bitter disappointment for McGrath on a day where several slalom skiers were handed DNF’s because of the tricky conditions.

McGrath had been carrying an added weight with him, given his grandad passed away just before the Games got underway. Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Olympics, the 25-year-old remarked: “I’ve just had some of the toughest days of my life. I miss my grandpa so much. He brought me here and he’s also the reason I’m driving tomorrow. He would have wanted it this way. I’ll give it my all for him, for Norway.”

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British ace Dave Ryding, who was taking part in his final race before retiring, commented on the incident, saying: “[The race was] exciting – that’s slalom there. Anyone can win really. I think Atle [McGrath] has been through a lot and I hope he’s alright.

“First and foremost, I hope he’s all right mentally because he’s been through the wars the past week. I will certainly forgive him for throwing his pole and I’ll go and get it and I need to.”

On Ryding’s illustrious career, team-mate Billy Major added: “He’s definitely one of my best mates and I’m sure that will go on for many years after he’s done with racing and as I move on. I’ve still got a while left in ski racing, I don’t know if I’ll make it to 39, that’s quite a thing to do.

“But immensely proud of him and Laurie [Taylor], the talent coming through is great to see. British skiing is getting stronger and stronger and that’s what we want – continue for things to grow and move in the right direction. With the support, anything is possible and Dave showed it.”