Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the opening men’s World Cup giant slalom of the season in Sölden, ahead of Loïc Meillard and Marco Odermatt. The Brazilian led after the first run on a course shortened by strong winds. His ninth career World Cup victory was also his second win at the Austrian venue, following his success there in 2020.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the season-opening men’s World Cup giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, on 25 October. Representing Brazil, the Norway-born Olympic champion led after the first run and held his advantage on the second descent. He finished ahead of Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard and Marco Odermatt on a Rettenbach course shortened in strong winds. The result gave him a second victory at the venue.[1], [2]
Pinheiro Braathen completed the two runs in a combined one minute 44.72 seconds, earning his ninth World Cup win. Meillard finished 0.48 seconds behind him. Odermatt, the five-time overall World Cup champion, was another one-hundredth of a second back in third. Meillard welcomed a solid start after difficult recent visits to Sölden. Odermatt said he had found his racing rhythm on the second run after an injury-affected preparation.[1]
The twenty-six-year-old had won in Sölden in 2020 while representing Norway. He described returning to win as special, recalling that his first victory there at age 20 had changed his life. He also said he had felt considerable pressure at the beginning of his title defence but used it during the race. The World Cup circuit next visits Levi, Finland, for men’s and women’s slaloms on 14–15 November.[1]
