Brazilian Skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Aims for Olympic Gold, Suffers Crash

The all-or-nothing approach of the young Brazilian skier ended in a dramatic fall during the Olympic slalom event.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, a 22-year-old Brazilian skier, took an aggressive, all-or-nothing approach during the Olympic slalom event in Bormio, Italy. While pushing for the gold medal, Braathen suffered a dramatic crash on the course, ending his hopes for a historic Olympic victory for Brazil.

Why it matters

Braathen's performance highlighted the high-risk, high-reward nature of elite-level skiing, where skiers must balance pushing the limits to win gold while also avoiding costly mistakes. His crash also underscored the challenges Brazilian athletes face in winter sports, where the country has historically struggled to compete at the Olympic level.

The details

Braathen was in medal contention during the slalom event, skiing aggressively in an attempt to secure Brazil's first-ever Olympic gold medal in skiing. However, his all-out approach led to him losing control and crashing dramatically on the course, ending his medal hopes.

  • The Olympic slalom event took place on Monday, February 16, 2026 in Bormio, Italy.

The players

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen

A 22-year-old Brazilian skier competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Bormio, Italy.

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The takeaway

Braathen's crash highlights the fine line elite skiers must walk between pushing for gold and avoiding costly mistakes. While his all-or-nothing approach was admirable, it ultimately led to his dramatic downfall on the Olympic stage, dashing Brazil's hopes for a historic first gold medal in skiing.