Brazil skier Pinheiro Braathen wins South America’s first Winter Olympic medal

Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has entered uncharted territory.

The skier captured gold in the Olympic men’s giant slalom on Saturday, making him the first South American in history to win a Winter Games medal.

Pinheiro Braathen, 25, finished 0.58 seconds ahead of Swiss star Marco Odermatt in the two-run event. Switzerland’s Loic Meillard took bronze.

Pinheiro Braathen’s mother is Brazilian and his father is Norwegian. He had raced for Norway until abruptly retiring on the eve of the new season in 2023, only to come back a year later representing Brazil.

The 2023 World Cup slalom champion became the first Brazilian skier to finish on a World Cup podium last year before claiming the country’s first victory this season to add to his five for Norway.

— with files from The Associated Press