Loic Meillard Makes History with Slalom Gold at World Championships

Switzerland finished top of the medal table at the Alpine skiing World Championships, with Loic Meillard's slalom gold medal contributing to their haul of five golds and 13 medals.

Loic Meillard of Switzerland made history on Sunday, claiming the men's slalom gold medal at the Alpine skiing World Championships. Meillard's victory marked the first time a Swiss man has won the slalom world championship title in 75 years.

Meillard's path to victory was paved when first-run leader Clement Noel of France skied out. The Swiss skier capitalized on Noel's mistake, securing the gold medal with a 0.26-second advantage over Norway's Atle Lie McGrath. Germany's Linus Strasser took home the bronze medal.

🇨🇭 Loïc Meillard takes GOLD! 🥇✨ First-ever Slalom World Championship victory and his sixth career medal! 🔥⛷️

🥈 Atle Lie McGrath 🇳🇴
🥉 Linus Strasser 🇩🇪

Incredible final race in Saalbach! 🚀🏆@saalbach2025#FISAlpine | #Saalbach2025 | #SkiVerrückt | #Wintersport pic.twitter.com/JThZAAh3nN

— FIS Alpine (@fisalpine) February 16, 2025

Noel, the Olympic champion, had been poised to win the gold medal after leading the opening run. However, his bid for the title was thwarted when he straddled a gate while attempting to overtake Meillard. This setback means Noel is still without a World Championships medal, having narrowly missed the podium two years ago.

The World Cup slalom leader and defending world champion, Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway, had a disappointing outing, finishing 13th. Meanwhile, Meillard's victory propelled Switzerland to the top of the medal standings at the World Championships.

🥇GOLD RUN of @loicmeillard 🇨🇭the first Swiss to take gold in Slalom in 75 years!🔥 Georges Schneider last won in 1950.@saalbach2025#FISAlpine | #Saalbach2025 | #SkiVerrückt | #Wintersport pic.twitter.com/N0TxyTr8FG

— FIS Alpine (@fisalpine) February 16, 2025

Loic Meillard expressed his surprise and elation after claiming the men's slalom gold medal at the Alpine skiing World Championships. “It's crazy, I know slalom can be tough and so many people can ski fast,” Meillard said. This victory capped off an impressive championships for Meillard, who also won the team combined event and secured a third-place finish in the giant slalom.

Meillard revealed that he had adopted an all-or-nothing approach to the slalom event, having narrowly missed out on gold in the giant slalom. “On the GS I tried to get the gold, so today it was a case of all in and see what happens,” he explained. This strategy paid off, as Meillard secured the gold medal and made history in the process.

Meillard's victory marked the first time a Swiss man has won the slalom world championship title since Georges Schneider in 1950. This achievement capped off a dominant championships for the Swiss, who claimed four of the five men's titles. Switzerland finished top of the overall medals table with an impressive haul of five golds and 13 medals.

The host nation, Austria, finished second in the medals table with two golds among their total of seven medals. Switzerland's success marked a memorable championships, with Meillard's slalom victory serving as the perfect finale to their dominant campaign.