Slalom talent Atle Lie McGrath about her alpinist father and star couple Kilde and Shiffrin: – It’s strange

BÆRUM (VG) The father of Atle Lie McGrath (22) competed against Alberto Tomba, but never won. The son does.

Who was the world’s third best slalom racer last season? He is Norwegian. At least half Norwegian. From Bærum. Very gentle. And 22 years.

When he broke through, he also got to know one of his great role models, the world’s best female alpinist.

For teammate and friend Aleksander Aamodt Kilde found and won love with Mikaela Shiffrin. More on that later, but first to the living room at the home of the Norwegian-American family Lie McGrath in Bærum.

There was a good atmosphere when VG was allowed to visit. McGrath junior was at home for a short trip after the World Cup opening in Sölden.

The opening race in giant slalom was not a smashing success. He was number 18. But next weekend there are new opportunities with slalom and giant slalom in Val d’Isere.

– It is absolutely crazy that there were seven Norwegians in the final round. It’s incredibly fun to be part of a group that flourishes like that, says McGrath and about the Sölden race.

And talk about blooming. Last Sunday, the technical specialist set off in his life’s first World Cup race in Super-G, and raced down to 5th place. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde won, Lucas Braathen was seventh. It was crazy.

– A completely sick experience. Both me and Lucas were nervous today, but I decided to put my head back at the start, McGrath told VG after the sensational 5th place.

The 22-year-old from Bærum had already shown the world what he is good at on skis. And it’s no small thing. He took two victories in the World Cup in slalom last season.

– He works hard, says dad Felix McGrath proudly.

And dad knows what it’s all about. For almost ten years he was part of the World Cup circus himself, for the USA.

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On 19 March 1988, dad Felix came second in the slalom in Åre, he was 22 hundredths behind Alberto Tomba, but over a second ahead of the Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark.

– Who is the best of the two of you?

Papa McGrath asks to answer.

– I wasn’t close once. I didn’t win a World Cup race. Atle works harder. He is stronger, he says, but even though he didn’t win the World Cup race, he won many other races.

Atle also has a “2. place” behind Alberto Tomba. He finished second in the giant slalom in Alta Badia on 20 December 2020, seven hundredths behind Alexis Pinturault. Had he won there, he would have beaten Tomba in being the youngest winner in Alta Badia.

Olympic debut in Beijing

Atle Lie McGrath is well on her way to becoming a new Norwegian great driver. He made his Olympic debut in Beijing. This season it is the WC in Courchevel in France.

Felix McGrath stays in the background. He is not a coach. He is a conversation partner.

– As a father, it is my job to support, not to dictate or pressure. He has to create his own path, says Felix to VG.

Scroll through the photo gallery to see father and son now:

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It became clear early on that Atle was a talent on skis. He is full of skiing genes. Mamma Selma Lie was a cross-country talent and studied on a ski scholarship at the University of Vermont. Felix had his base there when he was a top alpinist and raced in the World Cup.

– I guess I’ve always been quite good at skiing, says Atle.

He chose to go to Dønski upper secondary school, which has a sports section.

– He had to take the bus and cook breakfast himself. He made that choice, says dad Felix.

And although it is not a long journey from the family home to the school in kilometres, the bus journey round trip took 2.5 hours each day.

– I took the bus at 07.10. School started at 0830. I was home at 6pm. It was long days and a tough program with school and training, but it went well, says Atle.

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That was what was needed to reach the goal, a place in the national team. And not least, to be better than dad. Both have finished third overall in the Slalom World Cup, but Atle has therefore won World Cup races.

– I am officially the best in the family. It is fun. Super cool, says Atle, looks at his father and laughs.

A lot has changed since his father competed. Papa Felix, for example, competed without a helmet. The skis were over two meters long. Now the skis are shorter and with a turn that makes it easier to turn.

The 22-year-old has had many role models, one of the big ones being Mikaela Shiffrin. The 27-year-old from the USA already has 74 World Cup victories.

– I have seen her compete so many times, I watched all the men’s and women’s competitions. Mikaela is someone I looked up to. She is incredible. She is an idol, says Atle.

He was simply starstruck when he first met her.

– She is going to be the biggest winner ever. It is incredibly impressive. Now she’s a friend. It’s strange, says Atle and laughs.

Because suddenly Aleksander Aamodt Kilde could tell his teammates that he had found a girlfriend. Mikaela Shiffrin.

– She went from being one of the biggest role models to being Aleks’ girlfriend. That’s how I see her now. That SHE is the girlfriend of one of my friends is really strange, says Atle and laughs.

– She is super nice. They are happy and they are good for each other. The fact that two such good alpinists get together makes for an interesting duo.

– How were the reactions in the team when Kilde told about the girlfriend?

– It was just nice. None of the rest of us would have had a chance at her anyway, replies Atle and laughs heartily.

The Alpine World Cup took a short break after the opening in Sölden. The ladies will race slalom in Finnish Levi with slalom on 19 and 20 November, while the men will race slalom and giant slalom in Val d’Isère in France on 10 and 11 December.

– It’s no big deal

He takes with him an important lesson from last season. The 22-year-old broke his thumb on New Year’s Eve and lost a few runs. It was urgent to qualify for the Olympics. He became nervous. There was a lot to drive for.

When he set off down the slalom hill in Kitzbühel, he decided to ride with 100 percent risk, and give it his all. It was straight out of gate number five.

– I spoke to dad afterwards. He said it’s not too dangerous how it goes. Then I relaxed, says Atle.

In the next race, he reached the World Cup podium in slalom for the first time.