Lucas Pinheiro Braathen: Brazil’s First Winter Olympic Medal Hopeful

MILAN — Lucas Pinheiro Braathen often faces disbelief when he tells people in Brazil he’s an Alpine skier representing their country.

That could change next month if he wins Brazil’s first Winter Olympics medal.

“Meeting someone new in Brazil is always a surprise,” Pinheiro Braathen said in a recent interview with The Associated Press in Milan. “It sparks a really captivating conversation. It’s funny,actually – those interactions show me how fulfilling it is to represent Brazil in skiing because it’s so foreign to people there. I enjoy that.”

A podium finish would also mark the first Winter Olympics medal for any South American nation, a fact he just learned.

“Thanks, you’ve added another layer of pressure!” he laughed. “But I welcome it. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the impact I can make. I believe pressure helps you create something special.”

Pinheiro Braathen’s mother is Brazilian, and his father is Norwegian. He previously raced for Norway but abruptly retired before the 2023 season. He returned a year later, competing for Brazil.

The 2023 World Cup slalom champion has already achieved a series of