Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Wins Giant Slalom Opener
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen secures the season-opening men's giant slalom victory in Soelden, Austria.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Skiing
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Lucas Pinheiro Braathen claimed victory in the season-opening men's giant slalom at the Rettenbach glacier piste. He finished 0.48 seconds ahead of Loic Meillard, while Marco Odermatt rounded out the podium in third.
Why it matters
This win continues the momentum for Lucas Pinheiro Braathen following his Olympic gold medal performance in February 2026. The result sets an early tone for the competitive men's World Cup circuit.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen established his lead with a first run 0.24 seconds faster than his competitors. Marco Odermatt achieved the fastest time during the second run on the wind-shortened course.
The players
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen
He is an elite alpine skier who previously secured an Olympic gold medal at the Milano Cortina games.
Loic Meillard
He is a professional skier who secured second place in the season-opening giant slalom.
Marco Odermatt
He is a top-ranked professional skier who finished third in the competition.
Paula Moltzan
She is a professional skier who won the women's giant slalom event earlier in the week.
The details
The race was held on the Rettenbach glacier piste, which required shortening due to strong wind conditions. Athletes like River Radamus placed fourth and Freddy Carrick-Smith finished 12th in the field.
Timeline
February 2026: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won Olympic gold at Milano Cortina.
October 24, 2026: Paula Moltzan won the women's giant slalom.
October 25, 2026: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the men's giant slalom.
November 15, 2026: The men's World Cup slalom occurs in Levi.
Season Trajectory
This victory establishes a strong baseline for the athletes as they look toward future events in the World Cup calendar. The early performance shifts the pressure onto rivals to close the gap before the upcoming slalom in Levi.
Braathen secured a 0.48-second lead over Meillard, highlighting a significant performance gap in the opening race. The results establish the current points hierarchy as the field prepares to transition to the slalom discipline.
The takeaway
Consistency remains the primary challenge for skiers as the season transitions from glacier races to technical slalom events. Fans should monitor how quickly top competitors adjust their technical approach after the opening weekend.
What happens next
The men's World Cup season continues with a slalom race in Levi, Finland, scheduled for November 15, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the current circuit standings, visit our Skiing coverage.
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