[OLYMPICS] Brazil Makes History: Lucas Braathen Wins Olympic Giant Slalom Gold - SnowBrains

"Giant slalom races are conducted in two runs, with the combined time determining the final result. In the World Cup, only the top 30 from run one qualify for run two. At the Olympics, however, everyone who finishes the first run qualifies for run two. The top 30 qualifiers will compete in run 2 in reverse order ahead of the rest of the field."

"Opening the race was Braathen in bib 1 and he made the most of the first bib. he finished run 1 in 1:13.92 but it was unclear whether it was a good time. Setting the pace from the first gate is always tricky-you have no benchmark. No split comparisons. No context. Just instinct and execution. But it didn't take long for his time to crystallize as something extraordinary."

"Braathen's skiing looked fluid and confident on a hill that was anything but unpredictable. The course had been prepped inline with FIS guidelines and was water injected, however, the rather flat course caused many to struggle. Adaptability was everything-and Braathen adapted better than anyone. At the end of run one, he still held nearly a one-second lead as no-one came close to the Brazilian."

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won Brazil's first Winter Olympic gold medal in the men's giant slalom at Milano Cortina 2026 after opening in bib 1. Giant slalom uses two runs with combined time deciding results; at the Olympics every finisher of run one advances and the top 30 start run two in reverse order. Eighty-one skiers started in Bormio, creating a deep field of elite competitors. Braathen posted a 1:13.92 first run and held nearly a one-second lead. Many top competitors, including Marco Odermatt, trailed by about one second. A relatively flat, water-injected course proved unpredictable and demanded adaptability, which Braathen displayed.

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