With Brazil entering the joyous throes of Carnival, Alpine ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen on Saturday gave it another reason to celebrate — an Olympic medal. It was the first-ever medal at the Winter Games for any country in South America. And not just any medal: Gold.

Once a racer for Norway, Pinheiro Braathen switched to Brazil, his mother's home country. In winning the Olympic giant slalom on Saturday, he earned South America's first medal at a Winter Games.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen became the first South American to win a Winter Olympics medal after he earned gold during Saturday's men's giant slalom. The 25-year-old Pinheiro Braathen, who is ranked second in the world in slalom and giant slalom, recorded a combined time of 2:25.00, 0.58 better than 2022 gold medalist Marco Odermatt to win the event.

Another Brazilian athlete, Nicole Rocha Silveira, could earn another medal on Saturday when she races in the women's skeleton event.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva led the way as Brazil saluted skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen who won the nation's first ever medal, a gold, at the Winter Olympics. Lula said on X that Braathen's giant slalom triumph in Bormio,

Braathen won Brazil’s first-ever Winter Games medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen makes Winter Olympic history for Brazil - Gold in the giant slalom was Brazil’s – and indeed South America’s – first medal at the Winter Games.

Alpine skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and skeleton competitor Nicole Rocha Silveira, both from Brazil, will compete this weekend in the Milan Cortina Games.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen said it was "absolutely impossible" to try and convey his emotions after his big win

Brazil danced after winning their first Winter Olympics gold medal while Canada is still trying to win their first.

Brazilian ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen turned in a powerful final run to win the Olympic giant slalom Saturday and earn South America’s first medal at a Winter Games.

Burgener’s debut with the Brazilian team this year coincided with that of Alpine ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, whose gold medal Saturday earned South America its first-ever medal in a Winter Olympics. Pinheiro Braathen until 2023 competed for Norway, switching to Brazil last season and adding his mother’s surname.