Lucas Braathen announces comeback to alpine skiing: "Representing Brazil makes me beyond proud"
The 23-year-old will now represent Brazil after having competed under the Norwegian flag until his shock retirement last October.
Alpine Skiing
Less than five months after retiring from alpine skiing, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen announced his comeback to the sport.
He shared the news at a press conference in Salzburg, Austria on Thursday (7 March).
“Coming back to the sport of alpine skiing and representing Brazil makes me beyond proud,” he told Red Bull. "Being born and raised within a multicultural and uncommon background in winter sports, I made it my biggest goal to transcend sports by expressing myself.”
“Brazil has always had a major influence in shaping me to become the person and athlete that I am. Having the opportunity to represent 200 million Brazilians in World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Games is a dream come true.”
Braathen has chosen to turn out for Brazil, the home country of his mother following a fallout with the Norwegian Ski Federation.
Skiers under the Norwegian Ski Federation do not have control of their marketing or personal image rights, which resulted in a conflict between Braathen and the federation.
The 2023 slalom Crystal Globe champion said that he had lost “his joy of living” due to the system in Norway.
However, he expressed his gratitude to his former team.
“I am beyond grateful for the journey I have been able to be a part of with my former teammates and coaches. I would never have been able to achieve what I have achieved, and more importantly, I would not have been the man I am today if it was not for them.”
Right before Thursday’s press conference he made a post on Instagram in Portuguese saying “The time has come, Brazil. Let's Dance.”
Braathen will make his return to alpine skiing for the 2024-25 season in Sölden, Austria.