There is only 12 hundredths of a difference between Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and Swiss veteran Thomas Tumler who achieved his first World Cup victory at the age of 35.

– What’s special for me is that this is the first time my grandparents can see me on TV. “This is the first year my family in Brazil has understood alpine skiing,” Braathen told the Austrian TV channel ORF.

Braathen was clearly moved to second place – his first podium since the slalom at Soldeu in Andorra on March 19 2023.

– I’ve gone my own way. Luck is a factor in my success. “These days I’m very happy,” Braathen said.

Slovenia’s Zan Kranjec grabbed third place just ahead of Atle Lie McGrath and Henrik Kristoffersen. So there was a podium without a Norwegian flag at American Beaver Creek.

Three Norwegians, plus Braathen, who rides for Brazil, were among the top nine after the first round. Braathen was fourth despite starting from 29th position.

Henrik Kristoffersen was the first man out of the final round of Norway’s podium hopes and took a clear lead.

Then Braathen continued piloting the cannon. The Norwegian-Brazilian took tenth place and raced to the finish a full 93 percent ahead of Kristoffersen.

– Really very rough driving, said Kjetil André Aamodt in a Viaplay broadcast.

Her best partner Atle Lie McGrath was Braathen’s first challenger, but she quickly ran into the red and was 59 hundredths behind.

Slovenia’s Kranjec wasn’t good enough either – and only Switzerland’s Thomas Tumler remained. Unfortunately for Braathen, the Swiss player had margin on his side.