Article by Luminița Paul – Published on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 20:13 / Updated on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 20:14
Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (25 years old), Olympic champion in Milan Cortina in the giant slalom event, once again made history for his country, winning a World Cup Crystal Globe for the first time.
In 2023, Pinheiro Braathen would conquer The Crystal Ball in slalom, representing Norway, the country where he was born. Competing from 2024 under the flag of Brazil, where he lived for several years as a child, his mother being Brazilian, the skier began to string together historical milestones for the South American nation.
This year, first was the Olympic title from Milano Cortina, in the giant slalom event, which represented the first alpine skiing medal not only of the country, but of the entire continent. Then, in the World Cup, he got it The Crystal Ball of the same evidence, but with many emotions.
Everything was clarified and sealed right in Norway, at Hafjell, the closest rival in terms of points, the Swiss Marco Odermattunable to finish the first leg of the race. Pinheiro Braathen, on the other hand, delivered two great performances, keeping at bay the strong challenge from another Helvetian, Loic Meillardwho finished in second place.
On Wednesday, March 25, the Brazilian will try to win the Crystal Globe in the slalom, in the last race of the season.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, two exceptional legs
But emotions were intense in Norway. Even though Odermatt crashed out early, he still had a shot at the Globe depending on how Meillard and the Norwegian raced Atle Lie McGrath. However, both reached the finish line safely.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in the Hafjell World Cup race Photo: Imago Images
The Brazilian was going to start last in the second leg, after he had handled himself cleanly in the first, exactly, with an advantage of 21 hundredths of a second. The calculation was simple: if he finished on the podium, the Globe was his. Otherwise, Meillard would have hugged him.
But Pinheiro Braathen left no room for doubt. Showing the same determination that took him to Olympic gold, he took the safe route and finished the race with a lead of 58 hundredths.
At the end, the relief was obvious. “It's overwhelming. I came into these finals knowing that I could walk away with two Globes, zero and any number of other options, but after the first day, at least I got one“, he then declared.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen: “I ski because it allows me to feel who I am”
What does this triumph mean compared to the one in 2023? “You're asking me deep and serious questions now, I wish I could breathe a little before I go into these depths,” Lucas retorted.
“The fact that I can look at this Globe with the Brazilian flag on my chest is something I am extremely proud of. I just want to keep going and see how many more I can win, and I'd like to thank everyone who's been there for me through the hard times and the good times, because I never would have made it without themhe said.
I just hope this will inspire some kids to really believe in themselves, no matter if they feel a little different sometimes – Lucas Pinheiro Braathen
Giant slalom has “something special,” he admitted. “I may already have a Globe in slalom, but giant slalom is the foundation of alpine skiing. It's the discipline that everyone in the sport has tried before moving on to something else.”
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, winner at Hafjell
He dedicated the triumph “to the family I never get to see because I chose this life. To my father, who was the only person who was with me on this journey from start to finish, still here, still believing, no matter what path I want to take. I could never have done this if I didn't have the most beautiful and understanding family“, assured the Brazilian.
He also thanked his team. “I'm definitely not standing on the podium alone. The sport is so demanding in terms of resources. So much logistics, and in the end I managed to put together a team where no one works for themselves, but we work together. We look at each other with the same importance for the end product, which is how fast I can ski,” elaborated Pinheiro Braathen.
What is the secret to his extraordinary season finale? “I focus on why I ski. I don't ski for that, for trophies. I ski because it allows me to feel who I am. It's a minute and 20 seconds where I can be myself. No one can judge me, nothing matters, it's just me doing what I love the most. At the Olympics and every race since, especially today“, concluded the South American champion.
