Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Makes History in 2026 Winter Olympics Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom
On Saturday (ET) in Bormio, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen stunned the alpine skiing world by winning gold in the men’s giant slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics, delivering the first Winter Games medal ever for a South American nation. The victory capped an emotional 48 hours at the Games that also featured a dramatic figure skating gold for Kazakhstan on Friday (ET).
Historic milestone for Brazil and an entire continent
Braathen’s triumph represents a watershed moment for Brazil and for South America, a region long absent from the Winter Olympic podium. He crossed the line and collapsed to the snow, overcome with emotion, then rose to celebrate with fans who had gathered despite the odds. He later told broadcasters that he hoped his win would inspire children back home, saying, "Nothing is impossible. It doesn’t matter where you come from, your clothes or the color of your skin. "
Brazil sent its largest Winter Olympic delegation to these Games, yet few expected such a seismic result in a discipline dominated by alpine nations. The champion, 25, has a biography that bridges cold and warm climates: born and raised in Norway to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, he competed for Norway earlier in his career before returning to competition under Brazil’s flag. That decision has now produced an Olympic moment that reshapes how winter sport success is imagined in tropical countries.
Race dynamics and podium finishers
Braathen established an imposing first-run advantage on the fog-tinged slopes and managed to hold off a powerful field in the second run. He secured gold by a comfortable margin, finishing ahead of the pre-race favorites. The reigning Olympic champion and a fellow Swiss contender rounded out the podium with silver and bronze, underscoring the high level of competition he overcame.
In the stands and at the finish area, the scene mixed jubilation and stunned silence as fans processed the upset. Braathen’s style—equal parts exuberant and composed—shone through in both runs. His victory owed as much to tactical poise on the steep pitches as to a fearless attacking line on the technical sections.
Broader significance and immediate aftermath
The weekend’s surprises did not end on the slopes. On Friday (ET), a 21-year-old Kazakh figure skater delivered a near-flawless program to win the men’s title, securing that country’s first figure skating gold in decades and adding to the narrative of unexpected breakthroughs at these Games.
Back in Brazil, leaders and fans celebrated the milestone. Observers noted that the moment will likely catalyze interest and investment in winter sport pathways for athletes from nontraditional countries. For Braathen personally, the gold validates an unconventional career arc that included a pause and a return to competition under a different flag—choices he has described as driven by a desire to express himself freely and to honor his dual heritage.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, Braathen’s victory will be measured not only in medals but in its potential to broaden the geographic imagination of winter sport success. For now, his performance in Bormio stands as one of the most emotional and unexpected highlights of these Games.
