Brazil wins first Winter Olympics medal with giant slalom gold

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Wins Giant Slalom Gold, Delivers Brazil’s First Winter Olympics Medal

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made sporting history on Saturday by winning the men’s giant slalom at the Milan Cortina Olympics, securing Brazil and South America’s first-ever Winter Games medal. The 25-year-old conquered the Stelvio course in Bormio with a combined time of 2:25.00, defeating defending Olympic champion Marco Odermatt of Switzerland by 0.58 seconds.fieldlevelmedia

Loïc Meillard, also of Switzerland, took bronze as Pinheiro Braathen ended the Alpine powerhouse’s hopes of a podium sweep in the event.si

A Historic Triumph

Pinheiro Braathen, who wore bib No. 1, built a commanding 0.95-second lead over Odermatt after a masterful first run, leaving only seven competitors within two seconds of his pace. Though Odermatt mounted a furious challenge in the second run amid deteriorating weather, posting a time that would have secured gold against anyone else, the Brazilian held his nerve through 54 gates in driving snow to claim the title.straitstimes

“I’m not even able to grasp reality,” Pinheiro Braathen said after collapsing to the snow at the finish line before rising to hold his skis aloft. “I am just trying to get some sort of emotion here and translate it into words, though it’s absolutely impossible.”fieldlevelmedia

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva celebrated the achievement on social media, writing: “Brazil made history at the Winter Olympics! For the first time, our country reaches the podium. This unprecedented result shows that Brazilian sport has no limits.”x

From Norway to Brazil

The victory caps a remarkable journey for Pinheiro Braathen, who was born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother. After winning the World Cup slalom title for Norway in 2023, he shocked the skiing world by announcing his retirement just days before the season opener following a dispute with the Norwegian Ski Federation over marketing rights.espn

Five months later, he announced his return representing his mother’s homeland. “Norway taught me how to be an athlete, how to brave the cold,” Pinheiro Braathen told reporters before the Games. “Brazil taught me how to be myself.”nbcolympics

Odermatt Left Without Gold

For Odermatt, widely considered the world’s best all-around skier heading into these Games, the silver represents another near-miss after finishing fourth in the downhill and third in the super-G. He arrived in Italy as a favorite to win three gold medals but departs without any.olympics

“I hope I can inspire some kids out there that, despite what they wear, despite how they look, despite where they come from, they can follow their own dreams and be who they really are,” Pinheiro Braathen said. “Because that is the real source of happiness in life.”si