Atle Lie McGrath continued his impressive performance by maintaining his first-run lead and securing a Norwegian sweep of the podium in the World Cup slalom event held in Wengen, Switzerland. McGrath’s victory was reminiscent of Swiss skiing legend Didier Cuche, as he celebrated by flipping his ski end over end and catching it with finesse, much to the delight of fans in the finish area.
The United States-born Norwegian finished 0.18 seconds ahead of Timon Haugan, who made an impressive comeback from 10th place in the first run. Henrik Kristoffersen followed closely behind, finishing 0.29 seconds back in third place and solidifying his lead in the season-long slalom standings.
In an emotional post-race interview, McGrath expressed his joy at securing his first win in three years. He was overwhelmed by the significance of achieving a triple Norwegian victory and the camaraderie among his teammates. McGrath’s win contributed to Norway’s rise as a formidable force in the World Cup circuit, with five different skiers from the country claiming victory in various races.
Despite Switzerland’s dominance in other disciplines this season, Norway’s success in the slalom event showcased the depth of talent within their team. McGrath highlighted the supportive and competitive nature of the Norwegian squad, emphasizing their collective desire for success.
McGrath’s victory was a redemption of sorts, as he had faced disappointment in the past two slalom races where he failed to finish. His determination and belief in his abilities propelled him to success in Wengen, where he executed flawlessly on the challenging course.
See also Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tough Bronx persona is under fresh scrutiny with a resurfaced childhood nickname from her suburban upstate New York upbringing casting doubt on that publicly portrayed image. The progressive champion’s latest spat with President Donald Trump over the Iran strikes again called into question her true upbringing when she declared on X she was a “Bronx girl" to make her a point against the president. The 35-year-old congresswoman wrote in part on X: "I’m a Bronx girl. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully," she said, referring to the president’s upbringing in Queens as she called for his impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx but moved to Yorktown – which is nearly an hour outside New York City -- when she was 5 years old and went on to attend Yorktown High School where she graduated in 2007. She was considered an accomplished student there and well thought of by teacher Michael Blueglass, according to a 2018 report by local media outlet Halston Media News. “There, known by students and staff as ‘Sandy,’ she was a member of the Science Research Program taught by Michael Blueglass," the report states. “She was amazing," Blueglass said, per the report. “Aside from her winning one of the top spots and going to the [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair], she was just one of the most amazing presenters in all of the years I've been at Yorktown. Her ability to take complex information and explain it to all different levels of people was fantastic." After high school, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she majored in economics and international relations, per the report. Ocasio-Cortez’s “Sandy" nickname — which carries a more suburban and preppy tone — appears to undercut her politically crafted image as a tough, inner-city fighter, one she has portrayed since her famous 2018 congressional campaign where she eventually ousted former 10-terms Congressman Joe Crowley. New York GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who now represents Yorktown, added to the scrutiny of Ocasio-Cortez’s persona in the wake of her brash with Trump and released images of Ocasio-Cortez from his high school yearbook. He claimed he and the rising Democratic star attended Yorktown High School at the same time when she was a freshman and he was a senior. "I saw the attacks on the president and her [Ocasio-Cortez] claims that she's a big, tough Bronx girl," said Slater. "To sit there and say that she’s a Bronx girl is just patently ridiculous." "Everybody in our community knows this is just a bold-face lie," said Slater on "Fox & Friends First" last week. "She grew up in Yorktown, she was on my track team." "She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing," Slater claimed. Slater’s post sent social media ablaze and prompted Ocasio-Cortez to respond after an image if her family’s home was posted online. “I’m proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Friday responding to the post. “My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep." “Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & it’s a big reason I believe the things I do today!"
The race day conditions in Wengen saw a shift from the sunny skies of the previous day’s downhill event to cloudy skies for the slalom competition. McGrath’s resilience and focus were evident as he navigated the course, determined to secure the win that had eluded him in previous races.
As McGrath stood in the start gate, he heard the racecourse commentary and knew that his teammates were leading the race. This knowledge fueled his determination to complete the podium sweep, a goal that he achieved with poise and skill.
McGrath’s victory in Wengen marks a significant milestone in his career and solidifies Norway’s position as a powerhouse in alpine skiing. With his newfound confidence and success, McGrath looks ahead to future races with optimism and determination to continue his winning streak on the World Cup circuit.
