MILAN (Sept. 26, 2025) — Milan, the worldwide style capital, provided the proper stage for Lucas Pinheiro Braathen’s press convention because it prepares to host the 2026 Olympic Video games. The Brazilian skier, contemporary off his first season competing below his mom’s flag, outlined his Olympic ambitions.
Beloved by followers, all the time smiling and assured, Braathen shines from his outcomes and mutual love of style, design and artwork, and for the distinctive path he has chosen.
A Father’s Pleasure
Pinheiro Braathen’s father and crew supervisor, Bjørn Braathen, opened with reflections on a season that delivered each sensible highs and painful lows.
“It’s straightforward to solely bear in mind the highlights — the comeback in Sölden, the nice leads to Finland, or the historic podium in Beaver Creek. However equally vital had been the falls and weaker days. These moments confirmed us the place we would have liked to enhance if we need to be a high-performing crew,” he stated.
He harassed that inside adjustments solely strengthened the group. “We constructed belief, arrange new processes, and strengthened the workers. Lucas now not needs to be half businessman and half athlete — he can now give attention to what issues most: snowboarding. That may be a large step ahead.”
Bjørn introduced additions to the workers: a brand new coach, a physiotherapist, and a media and advertising skilled.
“I’m Right here to Win”
Pinheiro Braathen, charismatic and emotional, stepped ahead with a direct message.
“A yr in the past, I stood in entrance of you speaking about my comeback to aggressive snowboarding. Right now, I stand right here to share my desires. I’m right here to win. I’m right here to change into the very best. My definition of success, although, lies past victory itself. For me, successful permits me to set the stage. However it’s how I dance on that stage that serves a function,” he stated.
He defined how representing Brazil intensifies each stress and motivation. “Earlier than, I used to be competing for six million folks. Right now, for greater than 200 million. If it doesn’t work out, it’s solely my fault. However stress is a privilege. It’s what makes sport an artwork and what forces me to reside day by day on the sting.”
Going through the Previous
Reporters pressed Pinheiro Braathen about each the Olympics and defining occasions from his profession. The 2025 World Championships in Saalbach ended with out medals, and the earlier version in Courchevel got here simply weeks after an appendix surgical procedure. Pinheiro Braathen refused guilty luck or circumstance. As a substitute, he spoke about accountability and the moments that formed him.
“On the World Championships (2023) I had gold in my pocket, however ten gates earlier than the end I handed it to Henrik,” he recalled. “It wasn’t the primary time — the yr earlier than I misplaced the slalom globe, despite the fact that I used to be main after the primary run. And a yr later, once more in opposition to Henrik, I missed out on a medal on the Worlds.”
He stated these defeats solely fueled him. “At that second, it was a tragedy. However with distance, I see that these setbacks made me stronger. With out these defeats, I might by no means have been capable of ship the very best snowboarding of my profession once I lastly beat everybody and gained the slalom World Cup title in Andorra 2023.”
The Anthem Nonetheless Waits
Final season, Pinheiro Braathen earned 5 podiums however by no means stood atop the rostrum. That ‘unfinished enterprise’ fuels him now.
“I can’t cease till I carry the Brazilian flag to the highest of the rostrum,” he stated firmly. “Final season, I got here so shut — I misplaced by simply two hundredths of a second. However that second will come, and it’ll come quickly. It might imply all the things to me.”
For him, victory solely issues if it tells a narrative. “It’s not solely about victories, however in regards to the story behind them. That’s what can actually encourage somebody.”
Giving Again
Pinheiro Braathen additionally works to increase entry to sport. He organizes an annual youth ski camp in Oslo and helps initiatives by way of his basis.
“Yearly, we need to open sport to increasingly more youngsters. Sport modified my life and I do know it could change theirs too. The largest worth lies in studying to attach with the neighborhood, to develop and to develop. And everybody has the precise to that,” he stated.
He added that messages from followers strengthen his resolve. “Somebody as soon as wrote to me that he signed up for a dance class, despite the fact that he was afraid, as a result of he noticed that I went in opposition to the present. These are the moments that inspire me on the hardest days. My dream is to be an instance of somebody who walks his personal path and follows his instinct. I don’t need to be a task mannequin just for athletes, however for anybody who dares to dream.”
Brazil Discovers Snowboarding
Pinheiro Braathen stated he feels help from Brazil is rising quickly. “Individuals in Rio now cease me to ask if I’m the man doing one thing on snow for Brazil,” he stated, smiling. “The considered alpine snowboarding being broadcast in bars in Copacabana is, for me, proof that our sport is reaching new folks.”
He additionally felt the help in World Cup end stadiums, the place Brazilian flags waved proudly. His mom attended a race for the primary time, waving the flag herself. “Though she at present lives in New Zealand, I hope she will be able to come to extra races once more. The help of my family members means loads to me.”
Fashion and Highlight
With Milan internet hosting Style Week, Pinheiro Braathen used the event to step into his different beloved world. After the press convention, he appeared on the launch of a brand new skincare product. His accomplice, Brazilian actress Isadora Cruz, supported him in Italy.
In each sport and style, Pinheiro Braathen continues to mix confidence, artistry and ambition. His message was clear: The Olympic stage awaits, and he intends to bop on it.
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