First world championship medal ever by Greek nat’l in Winter Olympic sport; Ginnis picks up slalom silver in Courchevel

Greek-American racer AJ Ginnis on Sunday picked up the first-ever world championship medal for Greece in a Winter Olympic sport, finishing second behind gold medalist Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway in the Alpine skiing slalom.

Ginnis finished 0.20 seconds behind Kristoffersen in the final race of the competition, held in Courchevel, France. He shared second place with Lucas Braathen, also from Norway.

“It’s just a dream, the last two weeks; history for Greece, the best moment in my career,” Ginnis said.

In a Tweet shortly after the milestone, the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) referred to an “unbelievable success… the biggest success in the history of Greek Alpine skiing #ΤeamHellas #slalom.”

The HOC’s congratulations were followed by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who also Tweeted that “…Alexandros Ginnis made history! The first Greek to make it to the podium of a World Champi0nship in Alpine skiing …he’s won the admiration of all and filled us with pride. Bravo Alexandros”.