Brazilian Skier Pinheiro Braathen Wins Giant Slalom Gold
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the men's giant slalom in 2:25 to claim South America's first Winter Olympics medal, beating Marco Odermatt by 0.58 seconds.
Overview
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the men's giant slalom in a two-run combined time of 2 minutes, 25 seconds to claim gold and secure South America's first Winter Olympics medal, according to reports.
He beat defending Olympic champion Marco Odermatt by 0.58 seconds, with Loic Meillard taking bronze after runs on the Stelvio course, according to reports.
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, called the result evidence that Brazilian sport "has no limits" and broadcasters overlaid Ayrton Senna victory music on coverage, according to reports.
Pinheiro Braathen is 25, raced for Norway before retiring at 23, and he earned Brazil's first World Cup podium last year and first World Cup win this season, according to reports.
The Olympic schedule lists the women's giant slalom medals to be handed out after the second run at lunchtime and other events including curling, biathlon and speed skating are scheduled, according to the Games schedule.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this as a celebratory human-interest triumph, using emotive, festive language ("dancing," "samba-dancing," "internal sun") and cultural signifiers (Carnival helmet) to foreground national pride. Editorial emphasis on reactions and curated quotes amplifies a hero narrative while downplaying scrutiny of his nationality switch or competitive context.
Sources (6)
FAQ
Born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, he raced for Norway until retiring in 2023 at age 23, then returned in 2024 to honor his mother's Brazilian heritage.
It is Brazil's first Winter Olympics medal, South America's first, and the first by any athlete from a tropical nation, after 102 years and 26 editions without one.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won gold, beating Switzerland's defending champion Marco Odermatt by 0.58 seconds for silver, with Loic Meillard taking bronze.
His first World Cup win was in 2020 giant slalom in Sölden; he got Brazil's first World Cup podium last year and first win this season; entered Olympics with ten straight top-five finishes.
Yes, he is set to compete in the slalom event starting Monday, with a chance for another medal.
History
- 3 sources
