02/16/26 03:41:00
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02/16 03:39 CST Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen falls on 1st run of slalom,
ending bid for another Olympic medal
Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen falls on 1st run of slalom, ending bid for
another Olympic medal
By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer
BORMIO, Italy (AP) --- Brazilian ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen fell in the
first run of the men's slalom Monday, ending his bid for another Olympic gold.
Pinheiro Braathen was cruising along with a fast time when his ski went out
from under him in snowy and foggy conditions. He slid down the mountain before
getting back up. His Olympics ended with a "DNF" --- did not finish.
Pinheiro Braathen made history by winning the giant slalom Saturday, becoming
the first athlete from South America to win a medal at a Winter Olympics.
His former teammate and good friend Atle Lie McGrath of Norway had the early
lead in the slalom. The competition features 96 racers in the field, with many
representing nontraditional ski nations. This is the final event of the men's
Alpine program at the Milan Cortina Games.
The 25-year-old Pinheiro Braathen grew up racing with McGrath in Norway as kids
and they were teammates on the national squad. Pinheiro Braathen switched to
represent Brazil, his mom's home country. The nation celebrated his gold medal,
which just so happened to coincide with Carnival.
McGrath is racing at these Olympics with a heavy heart. His grandfather died on
the day of the opening ceremony. He's wearing an armband as a tribute.
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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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