Saturday couldn’t get any better for Lucas Pinheiro Braathen.
The 25-year-old Brazilian alpine skier won gold in the men’s giant slalom, taking down the dominant Marco Odermatt of Switzerland to make some history.
The victory marks the first-ever Winter Olympic medal for a South American athlete.
Barreling down the hill, Pinheiro Braathen was exactly on pace to the top spot, and he crossed the finish line 0.58 seconds faster than the Swiss skier (2:25.58). When coming to the realization of what he accomplished, Pinheiro Braathen collapsed at the finish, overcome with emotion.
“I just wanted to share this with everyone watching in Brazil, following me, cheering for me,” Pinheiro Braathen told TV Globo. “This can be a point of inspiration for the next generation of children, showing them that nothing is impossible. It doesn’t matter where you’re from. What matters is what’s inside. What the heart does. I bring Brazilian strength today to bring this flag to the podium. This is Brazil’s.”
Switzerland’s Loic Meillard took the bronze medal to round out the podium.
The distance from Milan didn’t stop Pinheiro Braathen from celebrating the moment with friends and family. After coming off the course, he went up to a video screen that showed his loved ones screaming and shouting over his victory. He later jumped up to kiss the camera.
The celebrations only continued during the medal ceremony for the samba-dancing skier, who has on the back of his helmet “Vamos Dancar,” meaning “Let’s Dance.”
When hopping up on the podium to receive his gold medal, Pinheiro Braathen jumped up with his fist in the air, making for a perfect photo and one to remember for the Milan Cortina Games.
As the Brazil national anthem played and the flags raised, the alpine skier grew emotional and closed his eyes to soak in the moment. Fittingly, it’s also Carnival season — the festival of parades, masquerades and partying– in his home country.
2026 WINTER OLYMPICS
Even Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shared some love for his country’s first Winter Games medal on his social media channels.
“This unprecedented result shows Brazilian sport has no limits. It is the reflection of talent, dedication and continuous work to strengthen sport in every dimension,” he said. “Congratulations to Lucas Pinheiro and all the team involved in this historic achievement, which inspires new generations and widens the horizon for Brazilian sport.”
Earning firsts isn’t something new for Pinheiro Braathen. This season, he also became the first Brazilian alpine racer to place on a World Cup podium last year and earned the first cup win for the country.
“I was pulling. Pulling, pulling, always pulling, trying to find where to step, always trying to find the rhythm,” Pinheiro Braathen said. “I was skiing with my heart, and when you ski the way you are, anything is possible. The only thing that matters to me is that I remain who I am. I am a Brazilian skier who became an Olympic champion.”
