Men's Giant Slalom WC: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Bags Title In Norway

Olympic champion Lucas Pinheiro Braathen added the World Cup giant slalom season title on Tuesday in a stunning campaign for the Brazilian skier. Racing on the slope where he grew up, the Norway-born star protected his first-run lead to finish 0.58 seconds ahead of Loïc Meillard, who would have taken the season-long title had Pinheiro Braathen failed to finish. Pinheiro Braathen won the season-long slalom title in 2023 when skiing for Norway, then split months later with the national ski federation in a dispute over sponsorship. That pushed him toward competing for his mother’s home nation after sitting out an entire season.

Updated on: 25 March 2026 9:44 am

Published at: 25 March 2026 9:37 am

Norway World Cup Finals Alpine Skiing Lucas Pinheiro Braathen

Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen holds the globe trophy for the alpine ski, men's giant slalom discipline title, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Marco Trovati

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Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, center, holds the globe trophy for the alpine ski, men's giant slalom discipline title, next to second-ranked Switzerland's Marco Odermatt, left, and third-ranked Switzerland's Loic Meillard, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Marco Trovati

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Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, back to camera, is congratulated by Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen after winning an alpine ski, men's giant slalom discipline title, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Gabriele Facciotti

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Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is congratulated by Switzerland's Loic Meillard, left, after winning an alpine ski, men's giant slalom discipline title, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Gabriele Facciotti

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Mens Giant Slalom World Cup Lucas Pinheiro Braathen

Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen celebrates winning an alpine ski, men's giant slalom race, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Marco Trovati

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Lillehammer World Cup Finals Lucas Pinheiro Braathen

Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen celebrates at the finish area of an alpine ski, men's giant slalom race, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Gabriele Facciotti

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Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen competes in an alpine ski, men's giant slalom race, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Marco Trovati

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Switzerland's Marco Odermatt wears the medal for second-ranked in the alpine ski, men's giant slalom discipline title, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP /Marco Trovati

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Mens Giant Slalom World Cup Marco Odermatt

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt competes in an alpine ski, men's giant slalom race, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Gabriele Facciotti

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Mens Giant Slalom World Cup Loic Meillard

Switzerland's Loic Meillard celebrates on the podium after taking second place in an alpine ski, men's giant slalom race, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Marco Trovati

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Switzerland's Loic Meillard competes in an alpine ski, men's giant slalom race, at the Lillehammer World Cup Finals, in Hafjell, Norway. | Photo: AP/Marco Trovati