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Lucas Braathen is returning to skiing next season. However, no longer under the Norwegian flag.
Completely surprisingly, the ski talent Lucas Braathen announced his departure from top-class sport in October 2023 in Sölden (AUT). The 23-year-old cited disagreements with the Norwegian association as the reason, in which he wanted more freedom.
Five months later, Braathen announced his resignation at a press conference in Salzburg. Starting next winter, the five-time World Cup winner and winner of the 2022/23 slalom classification will be hunting for points again. But no longer for Norway, but for Brazil, his mother’s home country. Braathen announced his return in perfect Portuguese.
The fact that this does not meet with approval everywhere is normal and completely okay.
“The longer I have found it, the more difficult it is to watch ski races and not be a part of this show,” said Braathen, who took a break in Brazil after his retirement. At the beginning of 2024 he would have contacted the Brazilian association.
Even though there is great anticipation of the new challenges, there were also difficult moments. «It was very hard to say goodbye to my teammates. Without them I would never have been able to achieve the success I have had.”
With a view to the critical voices (mainly from Norway) about his change of nation, Braathen said: “My father and I’s credo was always that you have to try new things to become the best skier in the world. The fact that this doesn’t meet with approval everywhere is normal and completely okay.”
Norway doesn’t stand in the way
As Braathen explained on Thursday, the Norwegian Ski Association has already given its okay for the change of nation. The Oslo native, who also has his mother’s surname Pinheiro in his name, is also allowed to keep his FIS points. As a result, he should immediately start again at the highest level. However, the world association FIS must first approve the change of nation.
Braathen ruled out a return to the Norwegian association in the (distant) future. “I have made this decision and I am proud of this step,” explained the Wengen and Adelboden slalom winner.