SÖLDEN, Austria (AP) — The Brazilian skier who earned South America its first medal at the Winter Olympics remains unbeatable in giant slalom.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the World Cup season-opener on the Rettenbach glacier on Sunday to extend his winning streak in the discipline to four races, a streak that began with his gold at last season’s Milan Cortina Games.
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The Norwegian-born Pinheiro Braathen added to his first-run advantage and finished nearly a half-second ahead of the two Swiss skiers who completed the podium.
“I didn’t want to hesitate," Pinheiro Braathen said. "I knew what I had in me, and I’m so, so proud to put it out there.”
Olympic slalom champion Loic Meillard finished second, 0.48 seconds behind, and five-time defending overall champion Marco Odermatt came third, 0.49 back.
American racer River Radamus moved up from 15th after the first run to finish fourth, 0.82 behind.
After his second run, Pinheiro Braathen held his arms out wide in celebration and yelled toward the crowd, which featured a small group of spectators waving Brazilian flags.
Also celebrating in the finish area was Isadora Cruz, the Brazilian actress who is Pinheiro Braathen’s girlfriend.
The course was shortened due to strong winds on the upper portion of the Rettenbach glacier and the race was held in flat light.
Pinheiro Braathen is unbeaten in giant slalom since his Olympic breakthrough, having also won the final two World Cup GS races last season to seal the season-long discipline title. He switched nationalities two years ago to represent his mother’s home country.
“There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders today,” Pinheiro Braathen said. “But pressure is privilege and I was able to capitalize on that. What a relief to be able to open the show in this way.”
Pineheiro Braathen's slalom victory in Levi, Finland, nearly a year ago was Brazil's first World Cup victory in Alpine skiing. He now has nine career World Cup wins — including four since he started representing Brazil.
Atle Lie McGrath stood fifth after the first run but lost control early in his second run.
Marco Schwarz lost control shortly into the opening run and went through a gate.
On Saturday, Paula Moltzan claimed her first career World Cup victory in the women’s opener; while Mikaela Shiffrin finished seventh.
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See AP’s full Alpine skiing coverage here
