Lucas Pinheiro Braathen: Brazil's First Winter Olympic Gold Medalist

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen became South America's first Winter Olympic medalist, securing gold in the giant slalom. Known for his samba spirit, Braathen races for Brazil after switching from Norway, experiencing unprecedented success like a World Cup win. His victory symbolizes a new horizon for Brazilian winter sports.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by becoming South America's first Winter Olympic gold medalist in the giant slalom event. His final run at the Winter Games was a powerful display of skill and determination.

Despite challenging weather conditions, the 25-year-old racer remained composed on the technical Stelvio course, finishing with a combined time of 2 minutes and 25 seconds. Braathen outpaced Swiss defending champion Marco Odermatt by 0.58 seconds, with Loic Meillard taking bronze.

Celebrating his heritage and newfound Brazilian identity, Braathen, previously a skier for Norway, marked a milestone for Brazil in winter sports. His fans, including Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, praised his achievement as a symbol of the nation's expanding athletic potential.