As of 1987, he was the top U.S. ski racer, but was ranked 57th in the world. The "Los Angeles Times" wrote of his criticism for the lack of competency among the coaches, who were "putting exaggerated pressure on the racers." He felt that the coaches were not attuned to the steps required to develop relatively inexperienced skiers and were not cognizant of the personal training regimes of individual team members. At the World Championships in 1987, McGrath was tenth in the slalom.