Lucas Pinheiro Braathen showcased an extraordinary performance in the giant slalom event at the Olympics in Cortina, clocking a time of 1:13.92 that proved nearly unbeatable. As the first skier down the slope, Braathen maintained aggressive speed right from the start, leaving his competitors struggling to match his time. Despite strong performances from other athletes like Atle Lie McGrath and Henrik Kristoffersen, Braathen's lead was significantly large, with McGrath finishing 2.01 seconds behind and Kristoffersen trailing 1.93 seconds behind.

The reigning champion, Marco Odermatt, who was anticipated to be Braathen's fiercest rival, finished with a time that was 0.95 seconds slower than Braathen's, prompting commentators to describe it as a crushing defeat. Former alpine skier Rasmus Windingstad expressed disbelief at the performance, suggesting that the time clock may not have been functioning correctly given the large time discrepancies. This incident highlights both Braathen's exceptional skill and the potential for significant surprises in Olympic competitions, particularly within such a competitive field.

Braathen's success not only boosts his own standing in alpine skiing but also puts the spotlight on the potential of athletes from Norway, especially those with diverse backgrounds such as Braathen, who is of Norwegian-Brazilian descent. This Olympic run could have long-term implications for his career and for the representation of multicultural athletes in winter sports, as well as bringing further attention to the sport within Norway and beyond.