«I am inspired by Steve Jobs»- Corriere.it

Half Norwegian and half Brazilian (from mom). A strange Brazilian: he is not bewitched by the myth of Senna, “perhaps because I have not been able to experience his deeds”. Lucas Braathen23 years old on the way, is one of the new names in skiing, one of those who over time will try to counter the dominance of the Swiss Marco Odermatt.

In the slalom in Adelboden – a particular place for him, because fate seems to draw coincidences for better or for worse – he won for the third time in the season (the other successes in Val d’Isère between the rapid gates and in Alta Badia in giant), with a curiosity: he beat the other «norge» millennial of 2000, Atle Lie McGrath; besides being friends, the two were born 2 days apart, Lucas on April 19th and Atle Lie on the 21st. Lucas Braathen was predestined. But he was also in the crosshairs of bad luck. In January 2021, precisely in Adelboden where this time he achieved the fifth success of his career, his story as an ambitious skier had come to an abrupt interruption: a fall in the finish area, during a giant leap, and rupture of the cruciate ligaments in his left knee, as well as of the tibial plateau.

The recovery was long and complicated. The results were no longer coming, it was feared that Braathen couldn’t make it back to the high standard. Instead, on 16 January last year, still in Switzerland but in Wengen, here is the return to the top (first in the slalom) and the end of a nightmare. This season, which leads to the World Cup, could mark a turning point for him: pure talent and a nice chatterbox, Lucas has everything to make it big.

Hallmark: a white neck warmer, his Linus blanket. Lucas, is he more Norwegian or more Brazilian?

“I’ve never asked myself that. I’m interested in who I am, that is, someone who loves new things and who aims for the maximum in everything I do: football, tennis, the golf I’ve just discovered, cliff diving, surfing, skateboarding, work projects. Racing in the snow is just a part of my life».

Was skiing an inevitable choice?

«The dream was football: when I go back to Brazil the passion explodes again. The love of skiing is instead a gift from dad. Let’s say I get excited based on the seasons, but now I want to become the best».

You are an unconventional Norwegian: remember Hans Petter Buraas, in 1998 Olympic gold in the slalom.

«It is like this: Hans Petter was transgressive and wanted to have fun, I share his attitude. Skiing will never be a profession for me: if it became a burden, I’d quit».

What does it mean to be a millennial?
«It means having a sense of the present and a desire for the future».

Norway has a philosophy: few athletes, but good ones.

Indeed, excellent. «The high level is for those who deserve it. We are a small team with huge potential. We encourage each other, the young intercept the advice of the veterans ».

Why does he want to be the Steve Jobs of skiing?

«Because I am struck by his figure. His words are worth a mission that I make my own: be hungry, don’t stop. Jobs’ teaching goes beyond the products he invented.”

A full life, his. But does he have time for himself?

“If I’m alone for two hours, I get stressed. I’m a public animal, during the pandemic I suffered from the limitations we were forced into. If there isn’t a program, I make it up. I also like skiing because it connects me with various people and cultures: it’s a sport that facilitates socialization».

Good and whimsical. Like Tomba, dare someone.

“I haven’t met Alberto yet. He is a legend, he is a combination of champion and character. Tomba has rocked the boat in a conservative sport, I’d love to do the same.”

Bode Miller was also charismatic.

«He and Tomba, the coolest ever: they didn’t care about the judgments and did what they wanted. When I was a child, however, I also admired Hermann Maier: a war machine».

Brazil just lost Pelé…

“Pele was the greatest. I’ve seen his goals: crazy, the most beautiful in history. But even Neymar, thinking about today, is a magician: his football is art, he does what he wants with the ball ».

Is he ready to become the greatest?

“I will also be competitive in super-G, but the first goal is solidity in giant slalom and slalom: I’m not here to be second”.