Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen claimed South America’s first Winter Games medal by winning the Olympic giant slalom event. Pinheiro Braathen maintained composure in challenging weather conditions to secure victory on the Stelvio course. He celebrated his triumph by falling to the snow and shouting with joy upon realizing his top position.
The 25-year-old finished with a combined time of two minutes and 25 seconds, outperforming Swiss racer Marco Odermatt, the reigning Olympic titleholder, by a margin of 0.58 seconds. Odermatt’s compatriot, Loic Meillard, secured the bronze medal.
Pinheiro Braathen, known for his lively personality and love for dancing, displayed the words “Vamos Dancar” (“Let’s Dance”) on his helmet. His success coincided with the festive Carnival season, famous for its vibrant celebrations worldwide, including in Brazil.
Expressing his joy, Pinheiro Braathen highlighted the significance of his achievement for Brazil, declaring, “Brazil is an Olympic champion in Alpine skiing.” His victory marked several milestones for Brazilian skiing, including being the first to reach a World Cup podium and secure a World Cup win.
Hailing from a mixed heritage, with a Brazilian mother and Norwegian father, Pinheiro Braathen initially raced for Norway before switching to represent Brazil. He emphasized the importance of inspiring future generations and representing Brazilian strength and pride on the global stage.
The skier’s fans, clad in Brazil’s colors, enthusiastically supported him at “Casa Brasil” in Milan, celebrating his victory with cheers and dances. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva praised Pinheiro Braathen’s historic achievement, emphasizing the limitless potential of Brazilian sports.
In addition to his gold in the giant slalom, Pinheiro Braathen’s performances contributed to Brazil’s success at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Meanwhile, Odermatt secured multiple medals, adding to his tally with a silver in the team event and bronze in the super-G discipline. Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath paid tribute to his late grandfather by wearing a black armband during his competition, finishing in fifth place.
