'Effortless' Pinheiro Braathen dominates Levi Slalom as searing start continues

It is two races in two different disciplines and two wins for Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/Atomic) as the Brazilian continued his perfect opening to the men’s Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season in Levi, Finland on Sunday.

The man who loves the spotlight ensured that it will continue to shine squarely on his shoulders as he added a Slalom triumph in Lapland to the Giant Slalom victory he secured in Sölden, Austria a few weeks ago.

Skiing with all the confidence of an athlete who ended last season with an Olympic gold and a Crystal Globe, Pinheiro Braathen looked untouchable down the Levi Black. Not only is he now the first male skier to ever defend a World Cup Slalom title in Finland, but also he has laid down a mighty early marker in the battle for the Overall Crystal Globe.  

Clément Nöel (FRA/Dynastar) arrived in Levi with almost as good a record down the infamously icy slope as his Brazilian rival, but despite once again excelling, the 2022 Olympic Slalom champion ended more than half-a-second back in second place. Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol) the man who replaced Nöel on the top step of the Olympic podium in February, completed a classy top three (+0.73 seconds).

While one of last season’s breakout stars, Paco Rassat (FRA/Head) grabed sixth, just behind the resurgent Fabian Ax Swartz (SWE) and Alex Vinatzer (ITA/Atomic) who ended fourth and fifth respectively.

The reigning Slalom Globe champion Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head) was solid in eighth, his first ever top-10 in Levi, but all the headlines will be focused on his close friend, Pinheiro Braathen.

Brazilian flags flying high once more

Out the gate for run one as the last of the top seven seeds, Pinheiro Braathen was the first to go full gas down the tough, icy Levi Black slope. An approach that was rewarded with a chunky 0.65 second advantage at the halfway point.

Seemingly with no intention of protecting his lead, the 26-year-old came out firing in the afternoon too. Building on his lead down the flats, Pinheiro Braathen was accurate and fast down the infamous pitch to once again celebrate in the Finnish finish area.

Before explaining what it feels like to be him right now.

With 200 points in the bank, the Brazilian is already turning his attention to the next challenge as he attempts to build up a sizeable lead before five-time reigning Big Globe champion Marco Odermatt (SUI/Stöckli) starts the speed season in North America in December.

“Next week I am in Gurgl and will try to do it all again,” Pinheiro Braathen said. “It’s going to be a challenging one and I am going to capitalise on the confidence that today gives me. I know where I am at and bring that trust to the next one.”

Nöel eyes up season battle

In a sign that this truly could be one of the most thrilling and tightly contested Slalom seasons in memory, second-placed Nöel was quick to outline that all is not lost, despite Pinheiro Braathen’s scorching form.

“Lucas was way better than me today but the season will be long and I hope the fight will be a good one,” Nöel said.

“Last year, he won (in Levi) with quite a margin and then Atle (Lie McGrath) won the Globe, so the season is really long. We all know that there are a lot of contenders. I just hope I can be in the mix this season. I just try to ski as fast as possible and I will not try to focus on someone else.”

The Frenchman’s past four finishes in Levi now read: second-second-first-second. Not a bad place then to kickstart a campaign which Nöel hopes will bring a first ever Globe, after four second-place finishes.

“I am happy with my race today, it was icy conditions (and) I love it,” Nöel said. “I think I skied pretty OK. I was not in full confidence before the race. The last few weeks I skied not so good, so that’s a pretty solid race and we can move on from there.”

Meillard in the mix

Meillard is another racer who will be eying up a long battle with Pinheiro Braathen, although not just for the Slalom title. The Swiss star has finished fourth-third-second in the Overall race in the past three seasons and two podiums in his first two outings this time around, suggest he is likely to once again be in the mix. Although Meillard knows more is needed.

Down in eighth after a slightly bumpy first run, the Swiss star found a great groove in the afternoon gloom. Second quickest in run two was encouraging, as the tour heads to Gurgl, Austria in seven days’ time.

“I felt the two runs were not complete actually, so I know there is potential to do better,” said Meillard, who was not quite able to deliver Switzerland’s first ever win in Levi. “Next week, new chance, new snow, new course set so it’s to adapt again, find the right solutions and hopefully I will do it.”

Standout performances everywhere

New season, new opportunities and the leaderboard was littered with examples of skiers taking full advantage of just that.

The equally fresh-faced Joshua Sturm (AUT/Atomic) and William Hansson (SWE/Rossignol) threatened to join Ax Swartz with career best performances, after the unheralded pair ended run one in third and fifth respectively. But that feeling will have to wait with both stradling gates in run two.

No such issues for 21-year-old Gustav Wissting (SWE/Atomic) who must have shocked even his closest supporters by jumping into 17th after starting way down with bib no.82. The Swede had only reached the finish line in a World Cup twice before but now he is eying up the new season with truly excited eyes.

Join him and the rest of the best for the next opportunity to shine on Sunday 22 November in Gurgl.

Click here for full results from Levi.