Lucas Braathen, the reigning World Cup slalom champion from Norway, announced his retirement from Alpine skiing on Friday, just a day before the start of the new season.
The 23-year-old athlete revealed that he felt free for the first time in years after making this decision.
In a press conference held in the Austrian resort of Soelden, where he won his first career giant slalom race in 2020, Braathen said that he had informed his teammates of his retirement the previous day.
He expressed his happiness at finally being able to follow his own dreams and what made him the happiest and shared his excitement for the journey ahead.
Braathen, who has a Brazilian mother and is known for his painted nails and colourful clothing, has won five World Cup races in his career.
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However, his decision to retire came as a shock to many, including the Norwegian Alpine sports director Claus Johan Ryste, who said that he had just learned of Braathen’s decision before the press conference.
Reports suggest that there may have been disputes between Braathen and the Norwegian federation over image rights, but this has not been confirmed.
Regardless of the reason behind his retirement, Braathen’s compatriots are stunned by the news.
The new Alpine ski season starts in Soelden on Saturday with a women’s giant slalom, followed by the men’s race on Sunday.
