Braathen is making history
Ski star emotional after historic victory
November 17, 2025 – 8:09 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen celebrated a very special and historic World Cup victory on Sunday. He then spoke about challenges – and encouraged them.
His victory in the slalom in Levi in Finland was not only historic for Brazil. The fact that Lucas Pinheiro Braathen stood at the top of the podium on Sunday brought his mother’s home country its first ever World Cup victory. In addition, the 25-year-old’s first place reflected an individual journey. Afterwards, the Slalom World Cup winner from the 2022/23 season, who was competing for Norway at the time, gave an emotional speech.
After his victory, Braathen sank to his knees and shouted his relief to the sky. Then he explained in an interview with the international ski association FIS: “It represents who I am, I think. I’m just out here trying to do it my own way, skiing with my heart and skiing for myself instead of for others. That cost me a lot of big sacrifices. And being yourself is a difficult path. But for me it’s the right path.”
Braathen used to start for Norway and fell out with the association over a dispute over marketing rights. He therefore surprisingly ended his career in October 2023. A year later he made his comeback for Brazil and now, a year later, he celebrated the country’s first World Cup victory.
Braathen now also said as an encouragement to other young people and skiers: “Your difference is your superpower. So believe in it.” His former teammate Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was also happy about his special day in Levi. The Norwegian, who is currently not appearing in the World Cup due to an injury and is working on his return, shared a video on Instagram from Braathen and commented on it: “Luciiiboy.”