Lucas Pinheiro Braathen makes history as giant slalom gold secures Brazil's first Olympic Winter Games medal ahead of Marco Odermatt
Updated 14/02/2026 at 19:50 GMT
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Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history on Saturday as he secured a stunning gold in the men's giant slalom, the first time that Brazil have won a medal at a Olympic Winter Games. He led after the first run and maintained that advantage as the snow fell in the second run. Pre-race favourite Marco Odermatt took silver, with fellow Swiss skier Loic Meillard taking the bronze.
Watch: Braathen hits wild celebrations after clinching Brazil's first Winter Olympics gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen sealed an historic Winter Olympic gold medal for Brazil with a brilliant display in the men's giant slalom at Milano Cortina to pip pre-race favourite Marco Odermatt.
Pinheiro Braathen led going into the final run and maintained enough of an advantage to take his first Olympic medal - and a first for the South American nation.
"I dreamed about this for so long, that if I follow my heart to the greatest extent, I can finish up on top and that’s why I am an Olympic champion today," the incredulous 25-year-old said afterwards.
The former Norwegian skier, who switched allegiance to Brazil in 2024 after briefly retiring, was out of the gate first in the opening runs and put down a staggering time, with Switzerland superstar and defending champion Odermatt the closest to him at 0.95s.
And no other competitor could match the Brazilian, with Loic Meillard lying third,1.57s back on a morning of surprisingly large time gaps.
For perspective, after the first run in Beijing in 2022, Odermatt had a lead of just 0.04s with 0.97s separating the top 10.
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Heartwarming Valentine's Day scenes as Braathen calls girlfriend
Video credit: TNT Sports
But come the second runs, the snow started to heavily fall - with Pinheiro Braathen set to ski last.
That only added to the drama, as the mistakes flowed freely in difficult conditions.
But despite some ragged moments, Pinheiro Braathen did more than enough to ensure he would be on the top spot of the podium.
"Mission accomplished," was how his run was described by Ed Drake, as Pinheiro Braathen dropped to the snow and shook his head in disbelief.
"He had one hand on that gold medal after the first run, and now Brazil are in the Winter Olympic history books," added Charlie Guest on commentary.
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"He withstood that pressure - that is some feat. He came into these Olympic Games in some absolutely fantastic form off the back of three silver medal performances on the World Cup tour. Unbelievable performance, mission accomplished. The Swiss team pushed hard, they threw everything at it," said Drake.
His winning margin over Odermatt was 0.58s, with Meillard taking the bronze, 1.17s back.
"The psychological stress, to stand there at the top of the mountain, staring down the racecourse, knowing you had those gates in front of you that needed to be skied with absolute perfection. He stayed aggressive, and skied his heart out today," explained Guest afterwards.
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Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen reacts after winning the men's giant slalom alpine skiing event
Image credit: Getty Images
"He really has executed the race of his life today. He was better than anybody else."
As for Odermatt, he leaves with two silvers and a bronze to his name from Milano Cortina.
"Odermatt came in with so much promise, the best in the world in the three disciplines in which he competes - goes away with a couple of silvers to his name," said Drake.
"But it is a historic day in the world of Alpine ski racing, and it belongs to Lucas Pinheiro Braathen."
The Brazilian admitted afterwards that his path to glory had been "unconventional."
He was born in Norway to a Norwegian father and a Brazilian mother, and represented Norway in his early career.
After a difficult Olympic debut in Beijing in 2022, Pinheiro Braathen retired in 2023, before deciding to make a comeback for Brazil in 2024. He was his country's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, and made it clear that he was not just making up the numbers.
"This road has really been long, and it has been a rather unconventional one, but it has been my one. It has been a road that has been paved by my intuition and daring to be who I am, as that is the only thing that is important to me," he explained.
"Whether I had been first, second, third, fourth today - if I had skied with my heart, it would have been my definition of success."
When asked about the pressure of leading after the first run, Pinheiro Braathen admitted that it was "big," before explaining that he was built for these moments.
"It was the biggest stage that I can step my foot on. But I’m built for the stage, I have done everything in my power to end up on the stage. And as I have said at various times before the Games started, Brazil is not here to participate. We are here to bring a difference, that was my goal."
Pinheiro Braathen was handed a phone midway through the interview - with Italian slalom legend Alberto Tomba on the other end.
"Lucas, bravo, congratulations," Tomba could be heard saying. "Gold medal for Brazil, can you imagine?"
"No, I can’t!" admitted a laughing Pinheiro Braathen.
"You cry like me, you’re the best! Congratulations! Bravo, Lucas!"
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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