Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Wins Historic Gold, Securing Brazil’s First Winter Olympics Medal
Bormio, Italy – Lucas Pinheiro Braathen etched his name in Olympic history on Saturday, February 14, 2026, winning the gold medal in the men’s giant slalom at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. This victory marks the first-ever Winter Olympics medal for Brazil, and for any South American nation.
A Dominant Performance
Pinheiro Braathen delivered a commanding performance, finishing with a combined time of 2:25.00. He established a significant lead in the first run, a margin NBC broadcaster Dan Hicks described as the largest in an Olympic men’s giant slalom Run 1 since 1988, nearly a full second ahead of his nearest competitor.
Swiss Skiers Claim Silver and Bronze
Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt secured the silver medal with a time of 2:25.58, his second silver of the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. Loic Meillard, also of Switzerland, took the bronze medal, finishing in 2:26.17. Despite falling short of gold, Odermatt expressed satisfaction with his medal haul, stating, “If you’re not satisfied with three medals, then you have a problem.”
From Norway to Brazil: A Unique Journey
Pinheiro Braathen’s path to Olympic gold is unique. Originally representing Norway, he retired from the sport in October 2023 before announcing his return to compete for Brazil – his mother’s native country – in March 2024. He had already achieved several milestones representing Brazil, including the country’s first Alpine World Cup podium finish and first World Cup win.
A Nation Celebrates
The victory sparked celebrations in Brazil, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva praising the achievement on social media, stating it demonstrated that “Brazilian sport has no limits.” Pinheiro Braathen’s helmet, emblazoned with “Vamos Dancar” (“Let’s Dance”), reflects his fun-loving personality and has become a symbol of his inspiring journey.
Key Takeaways
- Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won Brazil’s first Winter Olympics gold medal in the men’s giant slalom.
- The victory occurred on February 14, 2026, at the Milano Cortina Games in Bormio, Italy.
- Marco Odermatt (SUI) won silver, and Loic Meillard (SUI) won bronze.
- Pinheiro Braathen previously competed for Norway before switching to represent Brazil.