On Monday, February 16, renowned Norwegian-Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen faced an unfortunate fall during the first descent of the alpine skiing slalom event, resulting in his elimination from the competition. This incident prevented Braathen from having his run validated, and he did not qualify to return for the second round scheduled for 9:30 AM Brasília time.

Braathen had recently gained significant recognition after winning an Olympic gold medal in giant slalom just two days prior on February 14, making him a strong contender for a podium finish in the slalom event as well. Born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and a Brazilian mother, Braathen initially competed for Norway, where he made a name for himself by winning the World Cup title in alpine skiing slalom.

Notably, just seven months after his World Cup triumph, Braathen shocked fans and the skiing community alike by announcing his premature retirement from the sport, citing disagreements with the Norwegian skiing federation regarding its management. His elimination from the slalom further underscores the unpredictable nature of competitive skiing and raises questions about his future in the sport following such a tumultuous period in his career. The skiing world will await his next steps, as he remains a prominent figure with a unique background in the sport.