Olympic Bormio: Braathen gives Brazil first Winter Olympic gold, Odermatt frustrated again

On a Valentine's Day veiled in snow and rain, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen delivered the most romantic sporting story of these Olympic Games. First out of the start gate on the Stelvio, the 25-year-old Brazilian laid down a first-run time of 1:13.92 that left the entire field in disbelief — the largest Run 1 margin in an Olympic men's giant slalom since 1988. He then managed the second run with poise, finding fluidity through the critical middle section of the course despite deteriorating snow conditions, to finish with a combined time of 2:25.00 and beat defending champion Marco Odermatt by 0.58 seconds.

It is the first Winter Olympic medal ever won by a South American nation — man or woman, any sport. The previous best was Isabel Clark Ribeiro's ninth place in snowboard cross for Brazil at Turin 2006. Braathen himself had DNF'd in both events at Beijing 2022. The redemption arc is complete.

When he saw the number one flash on the scoreboard at the finish, Braathen collapsed into the snow before screaming in joy. On the back of his helmet, the words "Vamos Dançar" — "Let's Dance" — finally had their Olympic punchline. At Casa Brasil in Milan, fans draped in green and yellow toasted with caipirinhas.

Odermatt's Bittersweet Games

For Marco Odermatt, the undisputed World Cup leader, Milano Cortina 2026 will be remembered as the Olympics that denied him individual gold. Fourth in the downhill, bronze in super-G, team combined silver, and now giant slalom silver — four medals but none of the color he craved. His second run was excellent (sixth-fastest), and he found the right compromise in the pivotal middle sector, but the 0.95-second deficit from Run 1 proved insurmountable.

Switzerland nonetheless dominated with Meillard (bronze) and Tumler (fourth), three men in the top four continuing the nation's Alpine supremacy at these Games, led by Franjo von Allmen's historic triple gold (downhill, super-G, team combined).

Sector Analysis: Where the Race Was Won

The split-time data tells the story clearly. In Sector 2, the flatter middle portion where heavy snow demanded glide over aggression, Joan Verdú of Andorra posted the fastest time, followed closely by Odermatt and Braathen. Those who forced the issue lost time; those who trusted their skis and found flow gained it. Tumler was fastest in Sector 1 but paid in Sector 2. McGrath closed strongest in Sector 4. And Marco Schwarz, who surged from 18th to 9th, was supremely consistent across all four sectors.

Verdú's tenth place, powered by the fastest overall second run, is the best Olympic result in Andorra's history, bettering his own ninth place from Beijing.

Anguenot: France's best since Faivre

Léo Anguenot had promised to "go with heart, for our team." That's exactly what he did. Fifth after a solid first run, the La Clusaz skier finished 6th overall, France's best performance in an Olympic men's giant slalom since Mathieu Faivre's bronze in Beijing. Sector analysis shows he conceded most of his deficit in Sector 2 of the second run (+0.51), that flat zone where glide made the difference. But his consistency across both runs demonstrates maturity that bodes well for Monday's slalom.

Disappointment, however, for Alban Elezi Cannaferina, 31st in the first run and eliminated from qualification. The 22-year-old Frenchman, who recorded an excellent 15th in super-G, couldn't find his marks in giant slalom.

Braathen: A story of rebirth

Born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, Braathen grew up in the Norwegian system and won the slalom globe for Norway before retiring in 2023 following tensions with the federation. His return under Brazilian colors in 2024 was meteoric: victories at Alta Badia and Adelboden this season, and now Olympic gold.

For Norway, the feelings are mixed. Atle Lie McGrath finished 5th after posting the fastest time in Sector 4, demonstrating the field's strongest finish. Henrik Kristoffersen, 7th, described the first run as "comical" and admitted losing a line mid-course.

The talent Norway nurtured now dances in green and yellow. In Oslo as in Rio, Braathen's story resonates differently — but everywhere, it fascinates.

What's next?

Men's slalom on Monday, February 17, will be the final alpine event of these Games. Braathen, a specialist in the discipline (2023 globe winner), will be among the favorites. Odermatt will seek to exorcise the frustration of a fortnight without individual gold — though few champions can boast four Olympic medals in two weeks.

But tonight, it's Brazil that dances. Vamos Dançar.