Bormio, Italy – Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil secured a historic gold medal in the men’s giant slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, February 14th, marking the first time a South American athlete has won a Winter Games gold medal. Braathen’s combined time of 2:25.00 edged out Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, a dominant force in alpine skiing, by 0.58 seconds.
The victory unfolded on the Stelvio slopes in Bormio, Italy, with Braathen setting a blistering pace in the first run, clocking in at 1 minute, 13.92 seconds – the fastest of the 81 competitors. Odermatt attempted to close the gap in the second run, but ultimately fell short. Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard claimed the bronze medal, finishing 1.17 seconds behind Braathen.
Braathen’s triumph is particularly remarkable given his recent history with the sport. Just over two years ago, the Norwegian-born skier retired at the age of 23, citing feelings of emptiness, and anger. His return to competition and subsequent Olympic gold have been described as a stunning turnaround. “It’s a moment that’s hard to grasp, even though it’s crystal clear that you’re an Olympic champion,” Braathen said, according to The Novel York Times.
The win sparked jubilant celebrations both in Bormio and back in Brazil. Supporters gathered at the Brazil House in Milan, reacting with excitement as Braathen secured the gold. Images show Braathen kissing his gold medal and celebrating on the podium alongside Odermatt and Meillard. The Brazilian national anthem played for the first time at a Winter Olympics during the medal ceremony.
The men’s slalom, the final men’s alpine skiing event at the 2026 Olympics, is scheduled for Monday, February 16th, with the first run beginning at 10:00 a.m. And the second run at 1:30 p.m. The event will be broadcast live on ZDF, Eurosport, and ORF. Commentary on ZDF will be provided by Amelie Stiefvatter, with Marco Büchel serving as the expert analyst and Fabian Meseberg handling the play-by-play.
Although Braathen’s victory has electrified Brazil, the men’s slalom field is characterized by unpredictability this season. No single skier has consistently dominated the World Cup circuit, with seven different winners in nine slalom races. Atle Lie McGrath currently leads the Slalom World Cup standings and is considered a favorite for the Olympic gold, alongside Braathen and Clement Noel, the 2022 Olympic champion.
Other contenders include Loic Meillard, Tanguy Nef, Timon Haugan, Henrik Kristoffersen, Eduard Hallberg, and Manuel Feller. Linus Strasser represents Germany’s hopes for a medal. Betting odds currently favor McGrath, but the open nature of the competition suggests a wide range of potential outcomes.
The Olympic Men’s Slalom will be streamed live on sportstudio.de and in the ZDF media library, as well as on Eurosport and ORF platforms.
