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Lucas Braathen made a splash on Friday before the start of the season in Sölden. The 23-year-old Norwegian, winner of the small crystal ball in the slalom classification last year, will retire immediately.
“For the first time in years I feel free. Anyone who knows me knows that freedom is one of my greatest sources of success and joy,” says Braathen, explaining his surprising decision. Staying in the ski circus would have required sacrifices in too many areas: “To continue skiing in this system, I don’t just have to postpone my dreams. I too had to postpone my joy. I’m not willing to do that anymore.”
He informed his teammates of the decision to resign the night before. “It was difficult. It was tough to swallow, but it was also fun. I only received support.”
Coming back? “Only by a miracle”
Braathen made the final decision about a month ago. When asked if he can imagine a comeback in the future, he admits that this scenario is difficult to imagine. For a return to the Ski World Cup, many things would have to change. “If by some miracle I find out this is possible, it should be a very different world I return to.”
Braathen won the small crystal ball as the best slalom skier last winter, despite an appendectomy. He celebrated two of his five World Cup victories in Switzerland: he won the slalom in Wengen in 2022 and in Adelboden in 2023. (SDA/dti)
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
