Lucas Pinheiro Braathen collapsed in jubilation onto the snow after crossing the line in the men’s giant slalom, the enormity of his achievement had hit. He had won gold, Brazil’s and South America's first-ever medal at a Winter Olympics, and beat the great Marco Odermatt in the process.
A brilliant first run had put Braathen in pole position going into the second and final run. He was almost a second quicker than defending champion Odermatt and knew what he had to do for gold: go quicker than Odermatt again. And he did. The Norwegian-born 25-year-old’s combined time of two minutes, 25 seconds was 0.58 seconds quicker than the Swiss star, who had to settle for silver. Odermatt, widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of Alpine skiing, was denied gold once again at these Games. Though he has 53 World Cup titles to his name, Odermatt owns just one gold, from the giant slalom in 2022.
More on the history made at the link in bio.
Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/@apnews
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen collapsed in jubilation onto the snow after crossing the line in the men’s giant slalom, the enormity of his achievement had hit. He had won gold, Brazil’s and South America's first-ever medal at a Winter Olympics, and beat the great Marco Odermatt in the process.
A brilliant first run had put Braathen in pole position going into the second and final run. He was almost a second quicker than defending champion Odermatt and knew what he had to do for gold: go quicker than Odermatt again. And he did. The Norwegian-born 25-year-old’s combined time of two minutes, 25 seconds was 0.58 seconds quicker than the Swiss star, who had to settle for silver. Odermatt, widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of Alpine skiing, was denied gold once again at these Games. Though he has 53 World Cup titles to his name, Odermatt owns just one gold, from the giant slalom in 2022.
More on the history made at the link in bio.
Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/@apnews
