Brazilian Skier Makes History with South America's First Winter Olympic Gold
Milan, 15 February 2026
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has shattered barriers by winning Brazil’s inaugural Winter Olympics medal, claiming gold in men’s giant slalom on 8 February 2026 at Milan-Cortina. The 25-year-old Norwegian-born athlete switched from representing Norway to Brazil after retiring in 2023, citing loss of joy in the sport. His remarkable comeback story includes moving 21 times before age 22 and finding renewed passion competing for his mother’s homeland. Braathen’s victory marks South America’s first-ever Winter Games medal, achieved with a winning time of 2 minutes 25 seconds, beating Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt by 0.58 seconds. His triumph represents more than individual success—it symbolises how athletes from non-traditional winter sports nations can reach Olympic glory through determination and cultural identity.
A Journey of Cultural Duality and Athletic Excellence
The victory on Saturday, 14 February 2026, represents the culmination of an extraordinary personal journey for Braathen, who embodies what he describes as “cultural duality” [2]. Born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, Alessandra Pinheiro [3], the athlete moved 21 times before turning 22 [2], creating a nomadic childhood that would later inform his unique perspective on identity and belonging. “Norway taught me how to be an athlete, how to brave the cold. Brazil taught me how to be myself,” Braathen reflected after his historic win [2]. His path to Olympic glory was far from conventional—as a child, he disliked skiing and was inspired by watching football legend Ronaldinho Gaúcho [3], demonstrating how diverse influences shaped his athletic mindset.
From Retirement to Redemption
Braathen’s decision to retire from skiing at age 23 in 2023, despite winning 12 World Cup medals for Norway [2], stemmed from losing his “joy of living” [2]. The hiatus proved transformative—returning to competition on 13 February 2025 [2] to represent Brazil marked not just a comeback but a complete reinvention. “For the first time in my career, I feel free,” he stated [2]. His renewed passion translated into immediate success, securing his first World Cup victory in Brazilian colours in November 2025 [2]. The transition period showcased remarkable resilience, with Braathen achieving four podium finishes this season: gold in slalom in Levi, Finland, and silver medals in slalom in Wengen, Switzerland, plus two silver medals in giant slalom in Alta Badia, Italy, and Adelboden, Switzerland [4].
Historic Victory on the Stelvio Track
The giant slalom competition unfolded on the challenging Stelvio track at Bormio Ski Centre in northern Italy [4], featuring a vertical drop of 1,023 metres and maximum gradient of 63% [4]. Braathen’s winning performance included completing the second run in 1 minute 11.08 seconds [4], contributing to his total time of 2 minutes 25 seconds [1][4]. The venue, accommodating 7,000 spectators [4], witnessed 81 starters from 62 nations compete in the two-run format [2]. Marco Odermatt of Switzerland finished second, 145.58 seconds behind Braathen’s winning time [1], whilst Loic Meillard, also from Switzerland, claimed bronze [1]. The technical demands of giant slalom, with average distances of 20 to 30 metres between curves [4], tested the world’s elite skiers in conditions that favoured Braathen’s aggressive, heart-driven approach.
Impact Beyond Individual Achievement
Braathen’s triumph carries profound significance for South American winter sports development, breaking a barrier that had persisted since Brazil’s first Winter Olympics participation in 1992 [1]. Previously, Brazil’s best Winter Olympics result was ninth place in women’s snowboarding in 2006 [1]. Currently ranked second globally in slalom and second in overall season standings [4], Braathen has consistently finished in the top five in his last eight World Cup events [4], demonstrating sustained excellence rather than a singular breakthrough. His emotional response encapsulated the moment’s magnitude: “I’m not even able to grasp reality, as I stand here right now… I hope I can inspire some kids out there that, despite what they wear, despite how they look, despite where they come from, they can follow their own dreams and be who they really are” [2]. With the slalom event scheduled for Monday, 16 February 2026 [3][4], Braathen has another opportunity to extend his historic Olympic campaign.