Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen claimed gold in the men's giant slalom at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Saturday, winning South America's first-ever medal at the Winter Games.

The 25-year-old posted a combined time of 2:25.00, finishing 0.58 seconds ahead of Switzerland's defending champion Marco Odermatt, who ended up settling for silver. Another Swiss competitor, Loic Meillard, took bronze.

"At a stage like the Olympic Winter Games, there is no margin for safety," Pinheiro Braathen said. "You are on this limit, balancing between falls and good turns. I think it's the beauty of alpine skiing – so intense, so pure."

After previously racing for Norway, Pinheiro Braathen switched to Brazil, his mother's home country, in 2024. Now he's the first Olympian representing the South American continent to take home a Winter Games medal.

"I've tried over and over again to put words into what it is that I'm feeling," Pinheiro Braathen added. "But it's simply impossible."

He gave his country another reason to celebrate, even if it already coincidentally happened to be Carnival season. The fun-loving, samba-dancing skier had the perfect helmet for the occasion, too, stenciling on the back "Vamos Dancar" – "Let's Dance."

Odermatt picked up his third medal at this year's Winter Olympics. He also took silver in the team combined event, partnering with Meillard, and bronze in the Super-G.

"Three medals," he noted, "is amazing."