Levi made Brazilian alpine skiing history.
A confusing sight: The victory of the men’s slalom competition was celebrated in the colors of Brazil. Kimmo Brandt / EPA / AOP
The sight was quite disconcerting when Lucas Pinheiro Braathen25, aired the slalom World Cup victory in Levi on Sunday with the Brazilian flag on his shoulders.
This has never been seen before, as it was the first time that the men’s slalom was won by a skier who represented Brazil at the World Cup level.
However, the victory was not the first for Braathen. He already celebrated the victory of the giant slalom in Sölden in 2020, but at that time he was still representing Norway.
Three years later, the man dropped a shocking news bomb.
“I’m done”
In the fall of 2023, Braathe burst into tears at his own press conference. The man had just announced that he was ending his alpine skiing career, even though he was only 23 years old.
– I’m done. For the first time in years I feel free, Braathen justified his decision.
According to Laskija, the Norwegian Ski Federation treated the athletes unfairly.
Braathen felt that he would have had to give up his dreams and happiness if he wanted to continue skiing under the Norwegian Ski Association.
– I’m not ready for that, Braathen announced.
But just five months later, the same gentleman dropped a new news bomb: his career will still continue, but instead of Norway, he was going to represent Brazil in the future.
Samba roots
Braathen didn’t end up under the yellow-green flag by chance. Laskija’s mother is Brazilian, and she really wanted to represent the samba country.
– I am making a comeback in the ranks of Brazil, because thanks to this country I fell in love with sports.
Today, Braathen is also dating a Brazilian woman. He is an actor Isadora Cruz. Sambamaa has taken the man’s heart, and it showed on Sunday.
When the star counter crossed the finish line with Levi, there was emotion in the air. You could see from everything that the first position in the colors of Brazil was an exceptionally big deal for Braathen, even though it was Herra’s seventh race victory of his career.
Braathen has won the prize ball 18 times in the World Cup.
Sources: VG