Pinheiro Braathen Wins Historic Gold & Anguenot Finishes 6th in Giant Slalom | 2026 Winter Games

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has secured Brazil’s first-ever gold medal in Olympic Winter Games history, winning the men’s giant slalom at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games. The 24-year-ancient completed the two runs with a total time of 2:25.00, finishing 58 hundredths of a second ahead of reigning world champion Marco Odermatt. The victory, achieved on Saturday, February 14, 2026, marks a historic moment for Brazilian winter sports. Braathen, originally from Oslo, Norway, now competes under the Brazilian flag. He navigated the Stelvio course with precision, establishing a significant lead in the first run and maintaining it through the second. Marco Odermatt, widely considered a favorite for the gold medal, settled for silver. Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard claimed the bronze, finishing 28 hundredths of a second behind Odermatt. France’s Léo Anguenot finished sixth, two seconds off the pace of the gold medalist. Anguenot, despite missing out on a medal, expressed satisfaction with his performance. “I am incredibly proud of myself,” Anguenot said, according to L’Équipe. The first run saw Braathen set a blistering pace of 1’13”92, nearly a full second faster than Odermatt. He maintained his advantage in the second run, despite a challenging course set by the Swiss team. The win was not without drama. Braathen nearly lost control during his final run, but recovered quickly to maintain his lead. Several other competitors, including Atle Lie McGrath and Henrik Kristoffersen, attempted to close the gap, but ultimately fell short. Stefan Brennsteiner and Joan Verdu briefly held the lead in the second run before being overtaken by McGrath and ultimately Braathen. This is the first Olympic medal for Brazil in any Winter Games event. The historic achievement has been widely celebrated in Brazil, marking a latest chapter for the nation’s presence in winter sports. The Brazilian Olympic Committee has yet to release a formal statement regarding future investment in winter sports programs following Braathen’s victory.