Sensational retirement at 23 years of age for Lucas Braathen

Clamorous retirement at age 23 by Lucas Braathen

Before the Alpine Ski World Cup è even started, it was shaken by a lightning bolt: Lucas Braathen, 23-year-old great Norwegian talent winner last year of the slalom trophy and fourth in the eneral ranking as well as; winner of 5 races in the White Circus, 2 giants and 3 slaloms, with at least 7 podiums to go with it, announced his retirement from competitive activities with immediate effect.

Braathen made this resounding announcement at a press conference in Soelden, the very place where three years ago he won his first Cup race, the giant slalom, and the same race was to be held on Sunday. The Scandinavian, of Norwegian dadà and Brazilian mom, cited various reasons for this decision but the one that stands out the most are serious disagreements with his federation over issues of sponsorship and immgine rights.

Itè s not the first time this has happened in Norway, it happened for example to Henrik Kristoffersen, but in that case the disagreement was recomposed before the start of the races. Not this time, and controversy will rage in the coming weeks. Braathen has also criticized the Cup calendar, which he says gives little space to super-Gs, a specialty in which he has competed a few times but very well.

For the time being è it is difficult for Lucas to reconsider, or for someone to get him back on his feet, but there’s also the hypothesis, far from being far-fetched, that in the future he may compete for his mother’s country, Brazil.