At a Glance
- Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is a 25-year-old alpine skier who could make history for Brazil at the upcoming Winter Olympics.
- He switched from Norway to Brazil in 2024 after retiring in 2023.
- His career includes a World Cup slalom title and five victories for Norway, and a first podium for Brazil last year.
Why it matters: A medal would mark the first Winter Olympic success for any South American nation, spotlighting Brazil’s growing presence in winter sports.
A Cultural Duality
Born to a Brazilian mother and a Norwegian father, he grew up split between the tropics and the fjords. His dual heritage shaped his identity and his love for both cultures. He first stepped onto a ski when he was four or five, thanks to his father’s encouragement.
At first, he complained that the cold was unbearable and that skiing wasn’t for a Brazilian. But over time, he learned to embrace the sport and developed a passion that would define his career.
Career Highlights
He raced for Norway until 2023, winning the World Cup slalom title and earning five victories for the country. On the eve of the 2023 season, he abruptly retired from the Norwegian team. A year later, he returned to the sport, this time representing Brazil in international competitions.
In 2023, he captured the World Cup slalom championship while still competing for Norway. His achievements include being the first Brazilian skier to finish on a World Cup podium last year and claiming his first win this season, adding to his five for Norway.
Career Timeline
| Year | Event | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | World Cup Slalom | Champion |
| 2023 | World Cup | First Brazilian podium |
| 2024 | Olympic Games | Potential first South American Winter medal |
The Pressure and the Prize
“I mean thanks you just added a whole other layer of pressure so I’ll happily bring that along,” he laughed. “The greater the challenge, the greater the difference that I can bring and I believe it is the more pressure you feel, the bigger the difference that you can create.”
“I simply try to capitalize off of that pressure and channel it into my performance because, yes, it makes the days leading into the competition extremely challenging because you know you have something greater to live up to rather than just the possibility of a great result,” Pinheiro Braathen said.
“But it is exactly that that enables you to become the version of yourself where you can beat every single other athlete at that start gate and so, as I said, pressure is privilege. It is my most important currency.”
“If you achieve immense success in something that you’ve dedicated your life to, at least for me, it is impossible to curate what those moments look like,” he added. “It is truly whatever you feel that sees the light of day and that’s what I think is so beautiful about those moments and it is simply what I chase every single day waking up. Yet another day getting to experience that feeling.”
Celebrations and Personality
When he got his first podium result for Brazil, he celebrated with a samba dance. His reaction after claiming his first win was more visceral, as he fell to his knees and screamed “yeah!” with both arms in the air.
He is known for painting his fingernails and having a taste for fashion, bringing the energy of Brazil and the discipline of Norway to the slopes.
Family and Support
He has a close relationship with his father, Björn Braathen, who introduced him to skiing when he was four or five. He bought everything for him-shoes, boots, skis-and they went out together, but the boy complained that he was cold and that skiing was not for a Brazilian.
The father also serves as his son’s team manager. He named the reindeer he won as part of the traditional winner’s prize at the World Cup in Levi after him.
“As a Norwegian, people expect me to feel very bad about that, but I don’t,” he said. “It’s my son and I just want him to be happy.”
Looking Ahead to the Olympics
He has a clear focus on Bormio, where the men’s Alpine ski racing will take place at the Games. He admits he has no clue what he would do if he were to succeed there.
He says his aim is to represent Brazil in something foreign, proving that the sport can belong to anyone. He sees interactions with fans as fulfilling and believes they prove how foreign it is to be a Brazilian skier.
He believes pressure is privilege and that it can bring a bigger difference. He hopes to inspire others to chase their dreams.
Historic Significance
If Pinheiro Braathen finishes on the podium, it would be the first Winter Olympics medal for any South American country. The achievement would highlight the growing diversity of winter sports and inspire a new generation of athletes from the continent.
The potential medal would also elevate Brazil’s profile in international alpine skiing, showing that talent can emerge from unexpected places.
Closing
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen’s journey from a reluctant child in the cold to a potential Olympic medalist is a testament to perseverance, cultural identity, and the power of pressure as a catalyst for greatness. The world will watch to see if his dream becomes reality at Bormio.
