SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria — In a spirited announcement via social media, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen declared “Campeonato Mundial. Vamos Dançar,” signaling the excitement for his debut representing Brazil in the Alpine skiing world championships.
The competitions will take place on Friday and Sunday, where he will participate in both the giant slalom and slalom events, aiming to secure Brazil’s first medal in this discipline.
Originally from Norway, Pinheiro Braathen has a flair for entertainment and embodies a vibrant persona. After parting ways with the Norwegian ski team and contemplating retirement, he has chosen to don the colors of Brazil, which adds further significance to his presence at this championship.
Pinheiro Braathen stands out as one of the most skilled skiers Brazil has seen, having clinched three podium finishes on the World Cup circuit this season alone. His journey started with a proud moment in December when he took second place in a giant slalom event in Beaver Creek, Colorado. During that celebration, he showcased his Brazilian heritage with a joyful samba dance on the podium, adorned with the national flag and cowboy boots.
Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski Federation, praised Pinheiro Braathen’s character and talent, noting how his presence will boost the visibility of skiing in Brazil. “This will definitely help our sport in Brazil. It’s a big country with a passionate skiing community. You can find Brazilians skiing in various locations around the world, from Austria to Colorado,” he remarked.
Known simply as “Pinheiro,” he has recently also achieved second and third-place finishes in slalom events last month, further establishing his prowess.
His family background is uniquely international; with a Brazilian mother and a Norwegian father, Pinheiro Braathen initially raced for Norway. However, a disagreement with the Norwegian ski federation last season led him to retire temporarily from the sport after aligning himself with a competing clothing brand.
Last March, he made headlines by announcing his return, this time competing under the Brazilian federation, which had not seen representation in the World Cup circuit since 2016.
Norwegian skier Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, who recently earned a bronze medal in super-G, expressed her admiration for his return. “We still love Lucas. It’s great to have unique personalities like him in our sport. It was disappointing to see him leave, and I’m thrilled to see him back competing,” Lie stated.
During the pandemic, Lie shared significant time with Braathen, highlighting their close friendship. “We almost lived together, training and watching television as companions. He’s very laid back, but his demeanor can fluctuate between being super stressed and completely relaxed. He truly is one of a kind,” she added.
The competitions will take place on Friday and Sunday, where he will participate in both the giant slalom and slalom events, aiming to secure Brazil’s first medal in this discipline.
Originally from Norway, Pinheiro Braathen has a flair for entertainment and embodies a vibrant persona. After parting ways with the Norwegian ski team and contemplating retirement, he has chosen to don the colors of Brazil, which adds further significance to his presence at this championship.
Pinheiro Braathen stands out as one of the most skilled skiers Brazil has seen, having clinched three podium finishes on the World Cup circuit this season alone. His journey started with a proud moment in December when he took second place in a giant slalom event in Beaver Creek, Colorado. During that celebration, he showcased his Brazilian heritage with a joyful samba dance on the podium, adorned with the national flag and cowboy boots.
Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski Federation, praised Pinheiro Braathen’s character and talent, noting how his presence will boost the visibility of skiing in Brazil. “This will definitely help our sport in Brazil. It’s a big country with a passionate skiing community. You can find Brazilians skiing in various locations around the world, from Austria to Colorado,” he remarked.
Known simply as “Pinheiro,” he has recently also achieved second and third-place finishes in slalom events last month, further establishing his prowess.
His family background is uniquely international; with a Brazilian mother and a Norwegian father, Pinheiro Braathen initially raced for Norway. However, a disagreement with the Norwegian ski federation last season led him to retire temporarily from the sport after aligning himself with a competing clothing brand.
Last March, he made headlines by announcing his return, this time competing under the Brazilian federation, which had not seen representation in the World Cup circuit since 2016.
Norwegian skier Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, who recently earned a bronze medal in super-G, expressed her admiration for his return. “We still love Lucas. It’s great to have unique personalities like him in our sport. It was disappointing to see him leave, and I’m thrilled to see him back competing,” Lie stated.
During the pandemic, Lie shared significant time with Braathen, highlighting their close friendship. “We almost lived together, training and watching television as companions. He’s very laid back, but his demeanor can fluctuate between being super stressed and completely relaxed. He truly is one of a kind,” she added.
