SALZBURG, Austria – Last season’s World Cup slalom champion Lucas Braathen announced on Thursday that he intends to compete for the nation of Brazil. According to the AP, Braathen previously competed under the Norwegian banner, his father’s nation, but chose to split with the country over sponsorship disputes.
Braathen, who’s mother is from Brazil, chose to sit out the current FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season. Last year he stood as champion in the slalom discipline with 546 points and fourth in the overall with 954 points.
He announced the change on social media, posting a series of pictures and videos alongside sponsors. Braathen competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Brazil in both Slalom and Giant Slalom, but was unable to complete a single race. Despite sending ten athletes to Beijing in 2022, Brazil won no medals, and is yet to ever win a medal in the Winter Olympics.
“The time has come Brazil. Lets dance.” – Lucas Braathen
The 2026 Winter Olympcis are set to take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, both in Italy. Alpine races are set to take place on the legendary Olimpia delle Tofane on Cortina d’Ampezzo, a common venue for the women’s alpine skiing World Cup.
There always seems to be a bit of controversy when an athlete switches the country they intend to compete for (remember when Eileen Gu announced she would ski for China?). Athletes have their reasons, though, and it certainly seems like Lucas has a pretty valid one. I guess we’ll have to poll the Norwegians on this one. Good luck in the upcoming seasons Lucas!
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Image Credit: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen via Instagram