Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has amplified the country’s chances of clinching its inaugural Olympic alpine skiing medal by securing Brazil’s first-ever triumph in a top-tier skiing competition. Pinheiro Braathen emerged victorious in the premiere slalom event of the World Cup season held in Levi, Finland, marking three months until the men’s slalom at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on February 16. Maintaining his substantial lead from the first run, he crossed the finish line in 1 minute 50.72 seconds, surpassing 2022 Olympic champion Clement Noel of France by a mere 0.31 seconds (1:51.03).
After completing the race, Pinheiro Braathen disengaged from his skis, dropped to his knees, and jubilantly exclaimed “yeah” with both arms raised. “It represents who I am, I think,” stated Pinheiro Braathen, draped in the Brazilian flag. “I am trying to do it my way, trying to ski with my heart, trying to ski for myself instead of for others.” This victory marked Pinheiro Braathen’s sixth career win, his first since transitioning to compete for Brazil last year after departing from the Norwegian ski federation.
Expressing gratitude for his support system, including family, friends, and team members, Pinheiro Braathen attributed his success to following his individual path and encouraged others to do the same. Two Canadian skiers, Liam Wallace and Erik Read, did not qualify for the second run, finishing 39th and 59th, respectively. Pinheiro Braathen, known for his vibrant persona and unique style, had a tumultuous journey that led to his representing Brazil on the World Cup circuit and achieving five podium finishes before his recent triumph.
During an interview in September, Pinheiro Braathen had expressed confidence in securing his first win for Brazil, a prophecy fulfilled on the day of the race. In the first run, he outpaced Noel by 0.41 seconds, crediting his success to meticulous planning and execution. The podium also featured Eduard Hallberg of Finland in third place, marking Finland’s first top-three finish since 2007.
The World Cup event showcased renowned skiers like Henrik Kristoffersen and Loic Meillard, who finished 13th and 14th, respectively. Notably, Swiss champion Marco Odermatt, who won the season opener in Austria, does not partake in slalom events. Marcel Hirscher, a skiing legend, opted to sit out the race to recover from an injury, rescheduling his return to January.
Mikaela Shiffrin claimed victory in the women’s race, receiving a reindeer as a unique prize in Lapland. The World Cup action moves to Gurgl, Austria, with upcoming races for both men and women. Pinheiro Braathen’s historic win not only celebrates his personal achievement but also symbolizes a triumph for Brazil and individuality, inspiring others to embrace their uniqueness.