Brazil is expanding its sports legacy beyond soccer, achieving exciting success in skiing as well.
On Sunday, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen became the first Brazilian skier to make it to a podium in a World Cup event, finishing second in the giant slalom at Beaver Creek, Colorado.
In a celebration infused with Brazilian culture, Pinheiro Braathen performed a samba dance on the podium, donning a Brazilian flag as a wrap and sporting cowboy boots.
Expressing his joy, he said, “What a moment to break out a dance in front of all these amazing fans here today. I came onto the circuit to make a difference. I came here to be myself and hopefully be an inspiration to the outcasts out there, to the people that feel a bit different, to follow their own path.” He further added, “It’s such a privilege to be the first one to bring the Brazilian flag — something that I’m so proud of — up to a winter sport World Cup podium.”
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, raised in a multicultural environment with a Brazilian mother and a Norwegian father, initially raced for Norway. His career took a turn when he abruptly retired last year due to a conflict with the Norwegian ski federation over a modeling gig for a brand competing with the federation’s clothing sponsor.
In March, he made headlines by announcing his return to the slopes, now representing Brazil, a nation that hadn’t had a representative in Alpine skiing’s World Cup circuit since 2016.
Although Brazil has never secured a medal at the Winter Olympics, Lucas is expected to be a strong contender in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games. Another Brazilian athlete to watch is Nicole Silveira, who recently finished third in a World Cup skeleton race in Pyeongchang, South Korea, marking Brazil’s first podium result in a winter sport.
During the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing, the sole Brazilian competitor in Alpine skiing was Michel Macedo, who unfortunately did not complete his second slalom run.
Despite his remarkable achievement, Pinheiro Braathen’s moment garnered limited media attention in Brazil, overshadowed by the final round of the country’s soccer league. Winter sports like skiing don’t have a massive following in Brazil, where Alpine resorts are scarce, leading many fans to favor skiing destinations like Argentina and Chile.
Prior to representing Brazil, Pinheiro Braathen had a successful stint with Norway, winning five World Cup races — three in slalom and two in giant slalom. He also clinched the season-long slalom title in 2022-23, overcoming the challenge of a midseason appendectomy.
Known for his expressive style, which includes painting his nails and a keen sense of fashion, Pinheiro Braathen takes inspiration from figures like Ronaldinho and Dennis Rodman. He commented on the personal hurdles he’s faced in a sport often seen as “very masculine.” “It’s about standing firm in the face of pressure and potential judgment when following your own path,” he explained. “I take pride in expressing myself differently, and I hope my journey can inspire others to embrace who they are for the sake of their happiness.”
After starting his race in fourth place, Pinheiro Braathen secured his remarkable second position with the fastest second run, finishing just 0.12 seconds behind Swiss winner Thomas Tumler. He celebrated his podium finish by humorously letting his skis drop in a playful mic-drop move, facing a crowd that included supporters clad in the yellow jerseys of Brazil’s national soccer team.
Looking ahead, Pinheiro Braathen aims for Brazil’s first victory in giant slalom and slalom at the upcoming races in Val d’Isere, France, where his mother, Alessandra, from Sao Paulo, is expected to cheer him on.
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AP Sports Writer Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo contributed.
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