Brazil’s Braathen Secures Pole Position for Olympic Giant Slalom Medal
Lucas Braathen, a talented skier representing Brazil, has claimed pole position for the giant slalom event at the Winter Olympics. His dominant first leg on the Stelvio course clocked an impressive time of 1 minute and 13.92 seconds. This remarkable run positioned him ahead of notable competitors, including Swiss racer Marco Odermatt, who was 0.95 seconds slower.
Key Competitors
The standings after the first leg featured prominent names:
- Marco Odermatt (Switzerland) – 0.95 seconds behind
- Loic Meillard (Switzerland) – 1.57 seconds behind
- Thomas Tumler (Switzerland) – 1.89 seconds behind
- Leo Anguenot (France) – 1.91 seconds behind
- Henrik Kristoffersen (Norway) – 1.93 seconds behind
- Raphael Haaser (Austria) – 24th place, 3.54 seconds off
Braathen’s Journey
Born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, Braathen’s life has been a blend of cultures. Following his parents’ separation, he spent significant time in Brazil, mastering both Norwegian and Portuguese. After distancing himself from the Norwegian ski federation over sponsorship issues, he returned to competition under the Brazilian banner in October 2023.
Aiming for Olympic Glory
This Olympic performance could mark a historic moment for Brazil. A medal in alpine skiing would be Brazil’s first in Winter Olympic history, following Isabel Clark Ribeiro’s ninth-place finish in snowboard cross at the 2006 Torino Games. Previously, Chile’s Thomas Grob held the best alpine skiing result, finishing 11th in the 1998 Nagano Games.
Second Leg Expectations
The second leg of the giant slalom is set for 12:00 GMT. Braathen will aim for not only a medal but also to solidify his status in Olympic history.
Competitor Reactions
Henrik Kristoffersen, a previous Olympic silver medalist in giant slalom, expressed surprise at his own performance, stating, “I lost a line a little bit in the middle.” Teammate Timon Haugan remarked on Braathen’s excellent execution, declaring, “Incredible skiing.”
With nine World Cup podium finishes, including five in giant slalom and a victory in Levi, Braathen’s skills are evident. His return to the slopes with Brazil has reinvigorated his Olympic ambitions, making him a standout athlete in the competition.
