Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Wins Giant Slalom Globe, Historic Victory for Brazil
Lillehammer, Norway – Lucas Pinheiro Braathen etched his name in the history books on Tuesday, securing the giant slalom World Cup title at the World Cup finals in Lillehammer. This victory marks the first World Cup championship for Brazil in Alpine skiing and the first for any South American nation.1
Born in Norway, Braathen now competes under the Brazilian flag, honoring his mother’s heritage. He previously competed for Norway but retired in October 2023 before returning to the sport representing Brazil in the 2024-25 season.1 He also won the Olympic giant slalom, earning South America’s first Winter Olympic gold medal.1
Dramatic Finish in Lillehammer
The race unfolded with unexpected drama. Marco Odermatt of Switzerland, who had already clinched the overall crystal globe – awarded to the top performer across all disciplines – was favored to win his fifth consecutive giant slalom title. However, Odermatt faltered in the first run, falling and recording a DNF (Did Not Finish).1
This opened the door for Braathen, who posted the fastest time in the first run. Needing a top-four finish to surpass Odermatt in the standings, he delivered a strong second run to secure the victory.1
Braathen finished with a total time of 2 minutes, 20.65 seconds. Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard claimed second place, 0.58 seconds behind and Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath finished third, 0.87 seconds off the pace.13
A Moment of Pride for Brazil and South America
This win represents a monumental achievement for Brazilian skiing and for the entire South American continent. Braathen’s success is breaking new ground and inspiring a new generation of winter sports athletes in the region.1
Atle Lie McGrath, a childhood friend of Braathen, finished in third place.3
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