Industry News
The FIS Alpine circuit became a lot paler last year when colorful ski racer Lucas Braathen from Norway announced his immediate retirement in October 2023. The announcement came one day before the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup opener in Sölden, Austria, and sent shockwaves through the Alpine racing community. Now it looks like Braathen is poised to officially announce his comeback under the Brazilian flag and has called a press conference for tomorrow, Thursday, March 7.
The surprise announcement came in light of a falling-out with the Norwegian Ski Association although Braathen only ever hinted at the issues, stating: “For me to continue skiing in this system, I not only had to put my dreams aside but also my happiness.” Norwegian athletes are not in control of their personal image or marketing rights while members of the Norwegian Ski Association. Braathen clashed several times with Norwegian officials for entering into conflicting marketing contracts with clothing manufacturers.
Lucas Braathen entered the FIS Alpine World Cup circuit at only 18 years of age in the 2018/2019 winter season. In his short career, the Norwegian tech specialist podiumed a total of 12 times, including five victories. After a strong season last winter, the Norwegian won the prestigious Slalom FIS World Cup Crystal Globe.
The surprise retirement announcement saw a flood of support from other skiers, including teammate Aleksander Aamodt Kilde who called Braathen “a firework of a human.” Germany’s Felix Neureuther, a retired ski racer come TV commentator, even offered to marry Braathen, saying “If it is because of the federation I would marry you and then you can start for Germany. My wife would be totally fine with it.”
Now Braathen has confirmed in an interview with Brazilian newspaper Globo Esporte that he will return to ski racing and will ski under the Brazilian flag. Braathen’s mother is Brazilian while his father is Norwegian and Braathen proudly carries the middle name “Pinheiro”, which is Portuguese for ‘pine’ which is also his Instagram handle.
”What I feel is joy and love. I’m in love with representing Brazilians in a new sport. This is very big for me. I am very happy to represent my country. I grew up enjoying sports a lot, I grew up playing soccer on the streets of São Paulo with my cousins and friends, so for me, it’s the right time.”
— Lucas Braathen
Under FIS rules, ski racers can change the country they ski for at the start of a new season. With the FIS season running from July 1 to June 30 each year, this means Braathen can return to the circuit from July 1, 2024, provided he is released by the Norwegian Ski Association. If Braathen indeed can and will start for his mother’s home country, the South American country would be able to win its first-ever FIS Alpine World Cup medal and maybe even its first-ever Winter Olympics medal. The only previous Brazilian Alpine skier was Teo Fabi, whose personal best was a 43rd place in Downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in 1974.
The press conference is scheduled for March 7 at 11:00 a.m. local time in Salzburg, Austria. The fans of the Alpine World Cup circuit will be excited to see a comeback by the Brazilian-Norwegian skier.
