Among the messages for Ligety the splendid words of the young McGrath emerge: "That bib of yours is still in my room"

On the day of the announcement of the retirement of "Mr. GS", who will leave with the world champion of Cortina, the 20-year-old Norwegian let himself go to memories.

Tuesday 9 February 2021 3 minutes reading time

Today Ted Ligety has effectively closed an era, even if only in ten days he will definitely leave the world of skiing with his last race. Among the thousands of messages received by the American champion, one particularly struck us. This is what Atle Lie McGrath dedicated to him, the resounding Norwegian class 2000 second in the giant on the Gran Risa, before injuring his knee and ending the season not even three weeks later in Adelboden. One of the guys from the "Generation Z" that Ligety only met at the end of his splendid career; there are 16 years of difference between the two, but the words that the champion originally from Vermont dedicated to the multiple world champion bring them closer as never before, as simple lovers of this world and with an admiration, that of Atle towards Ted, truly boundless. “My greatest childhood hero retires after the world championships - wrote McGrath - I will never forget the first time I met you. Watching you run to Kvitfjell and being able to take a picture with you made me so excited! But that wasn't the most exciting part for me; after that photo, you gave me your bib. I couldn't sleep for the next week ... You inspired me and did a lot more for this sport than you can imagine. I just want to say thank you and sorry not to be able to be there, for your last race, but I am so happy to have at least managed to ski with you for a while. Enjoy the last time and I'll keep dreaming of being like you! P.S. That bib is still hanging on my bed ”.

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