Lucas Pinheiro Braathen wins Sölden World Cup giant slalom opener
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has started the 2026/27 Alpine Ski World Cup season with victory in the men’s giant slalom at Sölden, Austria, on Sunday 25 October. Racing for Brazil, he finished 0.48 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard, with Marco Odermatt a further 0.01 seconds behind in third.
Fast start on the Rettenbach glacier
Braathen led after the opening run on a course shortened because of strong winds and kept his advantage through the second descent. The result adds another giant slalom success to his recent record and gives him an early lead in the new season’s standings.
The race also brought an encouraging British performance. Freddy Carrick-Smith moved up from a starting bib of 46 to finish 12th overall, an eye-catching result against an established World Cup field.
World Cup season underway
Saturday’s women’s giant slalom was won by Paula Moltzan, who edged Lara Colturi by just 0.01 seconds. The technical-event calendar continues in Levi, Finland, in November.
Featured image: archive photograph of Lucas Pinheiro Braathen from the Winter Insight media library; not a photograph of the Sölden race.
Sources: FIS event results, 24–25 October 2026; Reuters race report.
