Junior Michel Macedo (Fortaleza, Brazil) of the Middlebury alpine ski team made his second appearance at the Olympics this week, competing in the slalom at the 2022 Beijing Games. Macedo was among 88 athletes to compete in the event. His first-run time of 59.88 ranked 37th, but he was unable to finish his second run. 
 
"I am definitely disappointed that I wasn't able to put two runs down," said Macedo. "I felt like I left a little on the table after the first run, so I tried to go all out on the second and lost control. At the end of the day, I am happy I was able to compete after a stressful week of being in isolation." 
 
Clement Noel of France won gold with a combined time of 1:44.09. Johannes Strolz (Austria) earned silver with a two-run clocking of 1:44.70, while Sebastian Foss-Solevaag of Norway rounded out the podium, claiming bronze (1:44.79). 
 
"Michel has been preparing for the event all season and put his best effort forward," said Middlebury head alpine coach Stever Bartlett. "His first run was a solid performance. It is a tough sport, and in the slalom discipline, the margin for error is thin." 
 
Macedo joined the Brazilian Alpine Ski Team in 2015 and is the country's top medalist in official sporting events with a total of 12 medals. He opened the 2021 campaign in early January, earning a pair of medals in the giant slalom in his first outing.  Macedo was the best Brazilian in the Youth Olympic Games in 2016 and participated in the 2018 Winter Olympics. At Middlebury, he qualified for the 2020 NCAA Championships.
 
Macedo will return to the states this week, and anticipates donning the blue and white uniform for the Middlebury Carnival which begins Friday, February 18 at the Snow Bowl.