Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, after winning Brazil's first-ever gold medal in Winter Olympic history in the giant slalom, is set to compete in the slalom event during the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Scheduled for February 16, this event will take place in Bormio, northern Italy, with Lucas set to be the sixth skier to descend the course. His performance in this round will determine his starting position in the second descent, making it a critical moment for the athlete as he seeks to enhance Brazil's medal tally.

The competition in the slalom will be fierce, particularly as Lucas faces off against notable rivals including France's Clément Noël, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics gold medalist, who will go fourth. Following Lucas, Switzerland's Loic Meillard, who earned bronze in the giant slalom, will compete second. The Brazilian skiers Christian Soevik and Giovanni Ongaro will start significantly lower in the rankings, indicating a challenging day ahead for them.

This event is highly anticipated not just for Pinheiro's pursuit of another medal but also as it highlights the growing presence of Brazilian athletes in winter sports, traditionally dominated by countries with colder climates. Pinheiro's success could inspire a new generation of athletes in Brazil to pursue winter sports, marking a potential shift in the country's sports culture and increased investment in winter sports training and facilities.