‘Winning is like medicine’: Lucas Braathen wins in Alta Badia giant slalom

Lucas Braathen is perhaps the kind of personality a skier needs to join Marco Odermatt among the younger generation taking over the sport.

The 22-year-old Norwegian with a Brazilian mother and a taste for fashion has an array of jewelery for sale showing off her skills on the slopes by winning one of the biggest giant slalom races of the World Cup season at Alta Badia on Sunday.

Erik Read finished as Canada’s best ranked 21st. Compatriots James Crawford and Philp Trevor were 25th and 29th respectively.

It was the second win in a row for Braathen, who won the slalom last weekend in Val d’Isere, France.

Braathen moved up from third after his opening run to finish a narrow 0.02 seconds ahead of his Norwegian teammate Henrik Kristoffersen on the Gran Risa course.

Odermatt, Olympic champion, reigning World Cup champion overall and current overall leader, came back from a disappointing ninth in the opening leg to third, 0.10 adrift.

When it was over, Braathen looked like a prize fighter as he unleashed a series of boxing punches to celebrate. Then during a podium celebration while removing his gloves, Braathen revealed that his nails were painted black except for one finger which had a yellow pattern.

Only two other active male skiers have won the World Cup slalom and giant slalom events in the same season: Kristoffersen and former overall champion Alexis Pinturault.

“It’s amazing. Growing up watching Alta Badia as a kid, it’s one of my favorites. It’s arguably the coolest giant slalom slope in the world,” said Braathen. “I can’t believe I won here; unbelievable. I will remember this day forever.”

It was Braathen’s fourth career win. The first came in the season-opening giant slalom in Solden, Austria, two seasons ago. But a serious knee injury late in the season sidelined him and forced him to miss the 2021 world championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Now, Braathen is back on track and has emerged as a medal threat at two races in the world this season in Courchevel and Meribel, France, in February.

Braathen moved up to third overall, despite trailing Odermatt by 381 points.

Pinturault finished fourth and first round leader Zan Kranjec finished fifth.

The surprise of the day belonged to Andorran skier Joan Verdu, who posted a career-best 12th finish with the second-fastest run.

River Radamus and Tommy Ford, America’s top GS skier, both struggled in the first round.

Radamus, who finished fourth at the Beijing Olympics, fell with his left hip at the top and did not finish. Ford also lost control and had to check his skis to get through the next gate, ending up nearly 5 seconds behind.

Another GS is scheduled for Gran Risa on Monday.