Brazil is expanding its horizons in sports, now making a mark in skiing beyond its famous soccer legacy. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history on Sunday by becoming the first Brazilian skier to earn a spot on the World Cup podium, achieving a remarkable second place in a giant slalom event held in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
In true Brazilian fashion, Pinheiro Braathen celebrated his achievement vibrantly, performing a samba dance on the podium, proudly displaying the Brazilian flag around his waist while sporting a pair of cowboy boots. He expressed his excitement: “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 stated.
The skier took immense pride in representing Brazil, saying, “It’s such a privilege to be able 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.” Pinheiro Braathen has a diverse background, with a Brazilian mother and a Norwegian father. He previously competed for Norway but retired abruptly over a dispute with the Norwegian ski federation due to his modeling endeavors for a rival brand.
In March, he made the decision to return to skiing, this time for Brazil, which had not seen representation in Alpine skiing at the World Cup level since 2016. Although Brazil has yet to win a medal at the Winter Olympics, Pinheiro Braathen is considered a strong contender for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games. His fellow Brazilian athlete, Nicole Silveira, also has potential, having finished third in a World Cup skeleton race last month, marking Brazil’s first podium finish in a winter sport.
During the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Brazil was represented in Alpine skiing by Michel Macedo, who unfortunately was unable to finish his second slalom run. Although Pinheiro Braathen’s achievement went largely unnoticed in Brazil on Sunday—due to the climax of the nation’s soccer league—the sports scene is slowly recognizing his accomplishments. The popularity of skiing in Brazil is limited, often overshadowed by better-known skiing locations in Argentina and Chile.
Pinheiro Braathen, who previously won five World Cup races for Norway, including three slaloms and two giant slaloms, continues to exhibit resilience, notably overcoming a midseason appendectomy last season to capture the slalom title. Celebrated for his vibrant personality, he often references sports icons like Ronaldinho and Dennis Rodman as inspirations. He reflects on the challenges he has faced in a sport that tends to lean towards masculinity, stating, “It’s standing up against all the pressure and all the potential judgement that follows when going your own path.”
With a keen sense of individuality, he emphasizes, “Being someone (who) likes to dress a bit differently and do me, I just take pride in that. I hope that the history that I’m able to write today can represent the effect of following your own path and the potential that lies in just being who you are in order to be happy.”
After delivering the fastest second run following a fourth-place finish in the first leg, Pinheiro Braathen ended up just 0.12 seconds behind Swiss skier Thomas Tumler, the event’s winner. He celebrated in style, dropping his skis onto the snow in front of a supportive crowd, which included fans dressed in the yellow jerseys of Brazil’s national soccer team. Looking ahead, he aims to secure Brazil’s inaugural victory in giant slalom and slalom events during the upcoming competition in Val d’Isere, France, where he will be cheered on by his mother Alessandra, who hails from Sao Paulo.
