The best result in the country's history – it doesn't matter: "The goal will be achieved when I bring a medal back to Lithuania"
A. Drukarovas achieved Lithuania's best historical skiing result, aiming for a medal at the Winter Olympics.
A. Drukarovas has made history by securing the best result for Lithuania in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics, previously held by Lin Vaitkus since 1998. Vaitkus, the first Lithuanian alpine skier in the Olympics, finished 25th during the Nagano Games. Drukarovas started off in the same position after the first run, finishing the race in 1 minute and 17.56 seconds, trailing behind Brazilian Lukas Pinheiro Braatheno, who had dominated the race and represented Norway in 2022.
In a display of determination, Drukarovas improved his standings during the second run, moving up two spots despite challenging weather conditions that affected many athletes. His total time for the two runs was 2 minutes and 29.03 seconds. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Lithuania's winter sports history, emphasizing the country's emerging presence on the Olympic stage.
The championship ultimately was won by Pinheiro Braatheno, with a time of 2 minutes and 25 seconds, making him the first South American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics. Drukarovas's performance indicates a promising future for Lithuania in winter sports, as he aims to bring home a medal and inspire a new generation of athletes in the country.