Lucas Braathen will return to the Alpine Ski World Cup next season. The 23-year-old announced this on Thursday.
As he revealed at a press event in Hangar7, he will no longer compete for his native Norway but for Brazil, his mother’s country.
In addition to sporting successes, as Braathen explained, he is also concerned with aspects that go beyond: “For acceptance of a multicultural background and diversity in the conservative sports community. That you can achieve anything, no matter who you are or where you come from.”
The surprising return of the winner of five World Cup races triggered reactions from current and former ski aces.
Especially with ex-superstar Marcel Hirscher. “I am impressed by this big decision,” said the Salzburg native. “Hello! I hoped that he would come back. He is a special person, a very special athlete who was missing from the Ski World Cup.”
Braathen is considered a colorful dog in the ski circus, not least because of his painted fingernails.
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