Lucas Pinheiro Braathen delivered a historic performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, capturing gold in the men’s giant slalom and earning South America’s first-ever Winter Olympic medal.

In heavy snowfall and thick fog on the technical Stelvio course, the 25-year-old stayed composed, attacking the second run with precision and heart. His combined time of 2:25.00 secured the win, finishing 0.58 seconds ahead of defending Olympic champion Marco Odermatt, with Loïc Meillard taking bronze.

When Braathen saw his name at No. 1, he dropped to the snow, then erupted in celebration.

A Brazilian First

Born to a Brazilian mother and Norwegian father, Braathen previously raced for Norway before returning to competition under Brazil’s flag in 2024. Since then, he’s delivered a series of national firsts — and now the biggest one of all: Brazil’s first Winter Olympic gold medal.

On the back of his helmet: “Vamos Dancar” — “Let’s Dance.”
And fittingly, during Carnival season, Brazil danced.

Speaking after the race, he said:

“I was skiing with my heart… I am a Brazilian skier who became an Olympic champion.”

At Casa Brasil in Milan, fans in green and yellow celebrated wildly as samba music blasted. Even Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva praised the achievement, calling it proof that Brazilian sport “has no limits.”

From samba to snow, Brazil just rewrote Winter Olympic history.