Lucas Braathen is considered the colorful dog of the ski circuit. Before the season, the Norwegian surprisingly resigned. Now he’s back – and exudes that samba feeling.
Ski racer Lucas Braathen is returning to the World Cup after a year’s break and will start for Brazil due to a dispute with the Norwegian association. The 23-year-old announced this on Thursday at a press conference in Salzburg.
“I am more than proud to represent the country in World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Games,” said the slalom specialist, whose mother is Brazilian. “Let’s bring samba back to skiing.”
Shortly before the start of the current season in autumn, Braathen surprisingly and emotionally announced the end of his career. The reason he gave was a fundamental dispute with Norway’s ski association over marketing rights. This caused regret in the ski world; the talented and extroverted athlete had many fans. In his young career he won five World Cup races and last year the overall slalom ranking.
Braathen tried his hand as a DJ, artist and model
During his time off and various projects as a DJ, artist and catwalk model, he realized how much he missed ski racing, Braathen said. “I found it difficult to wake up every day and not be able to fight to be the best in the world.”
There had been speculation for months that a move to Brazil would be an opportunity for the curly-haired athlete to make a comeback. Braathen discovered his love for sports on the streets of São Paulo, where he spent time visiting every year as a child.
2026 Olympics in sight
The racing driver, whose full name is Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, reported that he was able to take the points he had earned for Norway with him and therefore did not have to laboriously qualify for the elite races. He wants to reach his old level and is also supported by his financially strong sponsors. “I wouldn’t go back if it wasn’t for the dream of being the best again,” he said. “I want to get podiums and victories.”
Next year the World Cup will take place in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, not far from Braathen’s hometown of Altenmarkt in Austria, followed by the Olympic Games in Italy in 2026. Then the exceptional racer wants to win the first medals in Brazilian ski history. Brazil’s association head Anders Pettersson said Braathen could be a “game changer” for the South American country in winter sports.