Olympic Skier Explains His Walk to the Woods

Norwegian slalom star Atle Lie McGrath came to the start gate chasing a gold medal and ended up hunting for quiet in the trees. The 25-year-old, leading after the first run in Bormio on Monday, missed a gate on his second run, erasing not just gold but any spot on the podium, reports the Athletic. In frustration, he flung his poles, stepped out of his skis, and trudged alone to the woods until fencing stopped him. "I thought I would get some peace and quiet, which I didn't because photographers and police found me out in the woods," he told the Olympic media service. "I just needed some time for myself."

McGrath, the World Cup slalom leader, had laid down the best first run in brutal conditions that knocked out more than half the field. But his subsequent mistake cleared the way for Switzerland's Loic Meillard, whose combined time of 1:53.61 held up for gold. The Guardian notes another factor that might explain McGrath's need for solace: His grandfather died on the day of the opening ceremony, and he had hoped to honor him with a win. "It's not the worst moment of my life, but it's the worst moment of my career, and it's been one of the toughest moments of my life with everything that's been going on."