Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Makes History for Brazil in Giant Slalom
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen captured gold in the men’s giant slalom on Saturday in Bormio, Italy, becoming the first Brazilian and South American athlete to ever win a Winter Olympic medal in any sport. The 25-year-old ski racer posted a combined time of 2:25.00 to claim the historic victory.
The brazilian skier, born in Oslo, Norway, to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, dominated the competition from start to finish. Wearing bib No. 1, Pinheiro Braathen explosive first run crushed the field, building a lead of nearly a full second over second-place finisher Marco Odermatt of Switzerland. Even as course conditions deteriorated during the second run—where Braathen briefly slipped in Sector 3 but recovered—the brazilian skier refused to relinquish his advantage.
From Norway to Brazil: An Unconventional Path
Braathen’s journey to Olympic glory is unconventional. He began his professional career representing Norway, claiming five World Cup victories before retiring from competition in October 2023 following a dispute with the Norwegian federation over sponsorship concerns. In March 2024, the brazilian alpine racer announced his return to the sport—this time representing Brazil, his mother’s homeland.
Over the 2025-26 World Cup season, Pinheiro Braathen steadily built momentum, collecting a slalom victory and three consecutive runner-up finishes in giant slalom. The timing of his peak performance could not have been better.
A Champion’s Resolve
Emotional after crossing the finish line, Braathen reflected on his journey. “I’ve done so much, I’ve sacrificed so much by daring to pave my own way in order to reach my own dream,” he told NBC Sports. “Not others’ dream, my dream. And this is my dream. It cost everything, but we finished off on top.”
Braathen served as Brazil’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony, setting the tone for what would become a transformative moment for winter sports in South America. His gold medal stands as a landmark achievement not just for Brazil, but for the entire continent.
What’s Next
With this breakthrough victory, lucas pinheiro has firmly established himself among elite alpine skiers on the global stage. His performance in Bormio demonstrates that his decision to switch allegiances and pursue his own path—much like his approach to breaking traditional skiing stereotypes through his vibrant personality—was the right call.
