When Lucas Pinheiro Braathen retired from Winter Olympic alpine skiing in October 2023, the news stunned the ski world. At just 23 years old — and fresh off one of his most successful World Cup seasons — the Norwegian-Brazilian sensation walked away from competition, citing burnout and a loss of joy. Many saw it as a premature ending to a career destined for greatness. But nearly two years later, Braathen has re-emerged, refreshed, reenergized, and rediscovering purpose both on and off the slopes.
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Today, the 24-year-old is skiing for Brazil, his mother’s homeland, and training in Italy — a country that has given him not just a new base but a new outlook. I’ve learned that life isn’t just about medals, Braathen said. It’s about living with passion, finding beauty, and being true to yourself.
Winter Olympic 2026: Rediscovering Freedom in Italy
Italy has become a sanctuary for Braathen a place where art, sport, and self-expression coexist naturally. Training in the Dolomites, he’s surrounded by a culture that celebrates style, creativity, and emotion all qualities that mirror his own personality. I fell in love with Italy because people here live with heart, he said. They care about how things feel, not just how they look or how fast they happen. That’s something I needed to reconnect with.
Braathen’s transition from the Norwegian national team to representing Brazil has also given him a sense of renewal. Gone are the rigid expectations of a traditional powerhouse. In their place is a team environment defined by freedom and individuality. With Brazil, I feel like I can express myself fully, he said. It’s not about carrying history — it’s about creating it.
Italy, with its food, fashion, and philosophy, has amplified that sense of creativity. Braathen spends his downtime exploring local art, music, and culture — experiences that he says help him find balance. I’ve learned that being a great athlete isn’t about how much you train, he said. It’s about how much you live. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen targets overall Olympic Alpine Skiing success
Finding rhythm and inspiration from Michael Jackson
Braathen’s connection to rhythm runs deep — both on and off the snow. His skiing has always been described as musical, and that’s no coincidence. He draws direct inspiration from Michael Jackson, one of his childhood idols. Michael was pure rhythm and confidence, he said. When I ski, I try to feel that same flow that combination of precision and freedom.
Braathen even compares skiing to dance. You can’t just attack the mountain, he explained. You have to move with it, listen to it, and create something beautiful out of that movement. That’s what skiing is for me — an art form.
Observers often say that watching Braathen ski is like watching choreography — smooth transitions, seamless turns, and a distinct sense of flair. His ability to bring personality into an often rigid sport has made him a standout figure in modern Winter Olympic alpine skiing. I want people to feel something when they watch me ski, he said. It’s not just about time or speed. It’s about emotion.
Winter Olympic 2026: Reconnecting with his Brazilian roots
Representing Brazil isn’t just a sporting decision — it’s deeply personal. His mother, Sandra, was born in the country, and Braathen has always felt connected to its warmth and vibrancy. There’s an energy in Brazil that’s impossible to describe, he said. It’s joy, resilience, and love — all mixed together. That’s what I want to bring to skiing.
In joining the Brazilian national team, Braathen also hopes to inspire a new generation of athletes from non-traditional winter sports nations. I want kids from Brazil, from anywhere with no snow, to believe they can belong here, he said. Talent doesn’t care where you’re from. It only cares how much you love what you do.
His move has sparked excitement in Brazil’s small but passionate ski community. For Braathen, it’s about legacy — not in terms of medals, but in creating possibility. If one kid from Rio or São Paulo sees me and thinks, ‘Maybe I can do that too,’ then that’s worth more than any gold medal, he said.
Life lessons from stepping away
When Braathen retired in 2023, he described himself as emotionally exhausted. The constant pressure to perform, the politics of team dynamics, and the never-ending cycle of competition had drained the joy from his sport. I wasn’t living — I was just performing, he recalled. Every race felt like survival instead of celebration.
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Stepping away was a risk — but one that ultimately saved him. Sometimes you have to lose everything to see what truly matters, he said. I realized I love skiing, but I needed to love myself first. His time away from the snow allowed him to explore other passions — from fashion and design to travel and culture. I’ve always believed athletes can be more than just athletes, he said. We can be creators, thinkers, artists. The more we explore the world, the more we have to give back to our sport.
Redefining success in Winter Olympic alpine skiing
Braathen’s philosophy toward competition has transformed. Instead of chasing perfection, he now chases expression. I don’t ski to prove anymore, he said. I ski to feel.
That mindset shift is evident in his training approach. He prioritizes mental clarity and emotional flow as much as physical conditioning. You can’t ski freely if your mind is heavy, he said. You have to be at peace with yourself — that’s when your best skiing happens.
He also believes the sport itself needs evolution — more openness to individuality, style, and storytelling. Skiing should reflect life — colorful, unpredictable, emotional, Braathen said. If we want to inspire people, we have to show them that skiing can be more than just numbers on a board.
Winter Olympic 2026: Giving back and inspiring others
As part of his new chapter, Braathen has begun working on projects aimed at helping young athletes find balance and self-worth. He frequently speaks about the importance of mental health and authenticity, topics still underrepresented in high-performance sports. We’re told to be tough, to push through pain, to hide emotions, he said. But real strength is honesty. It’s saying, ‘I’m not okay,’ and still choosing to show up.
He hopes to use his platform to encourage others to live with courage and curiosity. Whether you’re an athlete, artist, or student — find what lights your fire, he said. And don’t be afraid if that fire changes. Growth is part of the journey.
Looking ahead to Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
With the next Winter Olympic approaching, speculation has mounted about whether Braathen will compete for Brazil at Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. For now, he remains open — but his focus is on meaning, not medals. If I race in 2026, I’ll do it because I love the sport — not because I need to win, he said. That’s the difference between who I was and who I am now.
His redefined perspective has made him one of the most intriguing figures in modern Winter Olympic alpine skiing. Both fans and fellow athletes admire his ability to merge excellence with authenticity — to show that vulnerability and creativity can coexist with competitiveness.
As he reflected on his journey, Braathen smiled. I used to think success meant standing on top of a podium, he said. Now I know it means standing on your own two feet — proud of who you are. For Lucas Braathen, Italy has become more than a home — it’s a symbol of renewal. On its slopes and in its culture, he’s rediscovered not just the joy of skiing, but the joy of living.Or, as he put it simply: The medals will fade. The feeling of being free — that lasts forever.
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