Levi Men's Slalom: Pinheiro Braathen Wins For Brazil As GB's Taylor Secures Career-Best 4th

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (Atomic) has done it. On Sunday under the lights in Lapland, the 24-year-old became the first ever Brazilian Alpine skier to top an Audi FIS World Cup podium.

Thirteen months after returning to the sport to represent his mother’s homeland, Pinheiro Braathen found a combination of speed, accuracy and composure down Finland’s fearsome Levi Black that no one could match.

Outspoken in his desire to take Alpine skiing beyond its traditional borders, Pinheiro Braathen brought the Brazilian samba to several snowy podiums last season, but this time the emotion of finally bursting through the winning barrier seemed to leave no energy for dancing. Instead, Pinheiro Braathen fell slowly to the snow, looked around as if in disbelief, and then finally stretched his arms out and roared, “Vamos Brazil”.

Few in the crowd, or indeed the field, were left unmoved, with second placed Clement Noel (FRA/Dynastar) one of the first to congratulate the young Brazilian. The reigning Olympic Slalom champion (+0.31 seconds behind Pinheiro Braathen) had already broken a few hearts himself by pushing hometown hero Eduard Hallberg (FIN/Fischer) out of the leader’s chair.

Not that he, or the thousands of delirious Finns seemed too bothered, with third-placed Hallberg (+0.57) grabbing a first ever podium finish for the home nation.

The Brazilian-Finnish party will no doubt be a long and glorious one.

By contrast, the fancied Norwegians surprisingly struggled. Reigning Word Cup Slalom Crystal Globe winner Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR/Van Deer) was off the pace from the gun, struggling to find his rhythm in both runs and ending down in 13th. Compatriot Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head) looked better but after starting the afternoon run in fifth he straddled a gate when pushing, while Timon Haugan (NOR/Van Deer) paid the price for a huge error at the top of the infamous pitch to fade to fifth.

The reigning Slalom world champion Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol) also failed to sparkle, continuing his difficult relationship with Levi. Third last season remains his only podium in six World Cup races in the resort, as he finished 14th.

A five-time World Cup winner when representing Norway, his father’s country and the nation he largely grew up in, Pinheiro Braathen spoke once more about the “turbulent road” he chose to take in order to “feel at one with himself” and “at one with skiing”. This involved a year out of the sport, straight after securing the 2022/23 Slalom World Cup Crystal Globe title. And then a long battle back to the very top.

A smart, measured first run that saw him hold back on the tough early rollers before letting the skis run down the slick lower section. That put him 0.41 seconds clear at the halfway point.

Then, with the deafening noise of a home crowd saluting their newest superstar – not to mention the challenge thrown down by serial winner Noel – Pinheiro Braathen had to respond. And respond he did. Neat and stylish at the top, the Brazilian had to show the best of his recovery skills after an almost catastrophic miscalculation on the pitch second time round. From there he powered to the finish line and a spot in the history books.

This one is a win that is a way bigger personal win than it is a win for the athlete that I am. This is a win for me and myself and the choices that I've made and the purpose that I have". said  Lucas Pinheiro Braathen
Hearing the Brazilian national anthem on a ski slope 170km north of the Arctic Circle was quite something.

“I cannot describe what that is like,” he said, the emotion clear in his voice. “This is a song that I've grown up hearing during the football games that inspired me to even start with sports and now to be able to be the reason why that song gets played in an occasion of success, representing the same nation where I grew my love for sports, it truly feels like a full circle moment. And I am just so very proud.”

Noel, a four-time winner last season, was so close to denying the Brazilian his moment in the samba sun. No one has ever successfully defended a men’s Levi Slalom World Cup but the Frenchman came mighty close.

Noel let rip in typical style in the morning run but, perhaps in a nod to the regular DNFs that derailed his bid for a first World Cup Slalom Globe last season, the Frenchman was somewhat more measured second time around.

“For sure that’s a good way to start the season, it’s always great to stand on the podium,” Noel said. “I could have skied better I think but that’s still a really good way to start the season. It’s just the beginning.

“My preparation was really great. This summer I skied really well and the last few weeks I had a few problems with my back and I skied not that great, so today I was not the most confident that I could be but at the end it went good.”

With nine more races before defending his Olympic title, Noel already has a steely look in his eyes.

Hallberg, last season’s FIS Longines Rising Star, may not have yet experienced that winning feeling on the World Cup tour, but the youngster did start his home race knowing just what it is like to produce your best when it really matters. But he also knew the feeling of letting that slip, having faded from eighth after run one 12 months ago to finish 24th.

This time around a brilliant, charging display from bib number 29 saw him fly up the field to finish fifth quickest in the morning run. That left him several hours of churning emotions as he contemplated the opportunity ahead.

“It felt horrible in the start,” Hallberg laughed, recalling his second run. “The first gates were great and then I made a mistake and I thought that was it. Then I just had to keep the skis running, take a bit more risk. Ski fast in the steep and the bottom section. It went well then and the green light in the finish was surprising but incredible.”

His previous best ever World Cup finish of eighth came a year ago in Gurgl, Austria – the location for next week’s World Cup Slalom. But this is a whole different level.

The most dramatic story for British fans was the sensational performance of Laurie Taylor, who finished just off the podium in a career-defining fourth place.

Taylor, wearing bib number 32, delivered a lightning-fast second run to challenge for a medal position, ultimately missing the podium by a heartbreakingly slim margin of just a few hundredths of a second. The result marks the best-ever World Cup slalom finish for a male British skier not named Dave Ryding and provides a massive boost to the GB Snowsport team in this critical Olympic season.

Fellow Brit and veteran slalom star, Dave Ryding, also secured a strong finish, coming in 11th, with Billy Major rounding out a successful day for the British squad by finishing in the points in 19th place.

For British skiing — often overshadowed by Alpine nations — Taylor’s performance is a significant boost. His aggressive yet controlled second run showed maturity and confidence, proving he can compete with the world’s elite. With this result, Taylor earns valuable World Cup points and sets himself up as a contender to break into the top tier of slalom specialists this season.

Top Results - FIS Men's Slalom, Levi, Finland 

The men's World Cup circuit now moves to Gurgl, Austria, for the next slalom event, where Pinheiro Braathen will look to continue his sensational form, and Laurie Taylor will aim to convert his promising start into a maiden podium finish.