Lucas
Pinheiro Braathen
Brazil
·
Alpine Skiing
Date of birth | April 19, 2000 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | Oslo |
Age | 25 |
Nationality | Brazil |
Disciplines | Alpine Skiing Giantslalom / Alpine Skiing Super G / Alpine Skiing Slalom |
Having returned to alpine skiing for the 2024-25 season after a period of retirement, Norwegian-born Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is now racing under the flag of his mother’s home country of Brazil. “It feels meant to be,” he revealed when asked about his decision to come back.
Lucas's journey so far has been nothing short of extraordinary. Following a solid junior career, he made his alpine skiing World Cup debut at 18 in Val d'Isere and secured a surprise 26th-place finish. It would then only take him two years before he celebrated a World Cup victory in Sölden in 2020. From there, he went from strength to strength, regularly finishing on the podium.
In 2023, he clinched the Slalom Crystal Globe during his FIS World Cup campaign. “This Globe represents every hard choice and sacrifice, all the dedication I’ve put into this since I was nine years old,” he said.
Skiing with his trademark painted fingernails and known for his ever-changing looks away from the slopes, the half-Brazilian, half-Norwegian earned plenty of plaudits and a legion of followers. Active on social media and even running his own YouTube channel, Lucas is also known for his passion for music and performing as a DJ.
As reigning World Cup Champion and set to be a star on the alpine scene for many years to come, Lucas announced his retirement in the fall of 2023, with great surprise to the community.
However, it wouldn't be long until Lucas shared the welcome news of his return. At the start of the 2024–25 season, his announcement not only revealed his return to the sport, but also that he would be representing Brazil and pursuing the biggest goal in his career yet. That goal is to transcend sport by creating more acceptance for diversity and to show that it's possible to accomplish anything, regardless of who you are or where you come from.
Back on the slopes, a win evaded Lucas during his comeback season, but he didn't have to wait much longer than that. At the 2025/26 slalom season-opener in Levi, Finland, he topped the podium for the first time since coming out of retirement, and in doing so clinched a first ever Alpine World Cup victory for Brazil.
Reflecting on hearing the Brazilian anthem played to mark his win, he said: "This is a song that I've grown up hearing during the football games that inspired me to even start with sports and now to be able to be the reason why that song gets played in an occasion of success, representing the same nation where I grew my love for sports, it truly feels like a full circle moment. I am so very proud."
The half-Brazilian, half-Norwegian is no stranger to the podium
© Fabio Piva/Red Bull Content Pool
Lucas Braathen in action in Austria
© Stefan Voitl/Red Bull Content Pool
Lucas Braathen Pinheiro on course in Beaver Creek
© Erich Spiess/Red Bull Content Pool
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen at his explosive best
© Stefan Voitl / Red Bull Content Pool