Lucas Braathen never fit in: “As a child, I didn’t think skiing was cool at all.”

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Last season he won the small crystal ball in the slalom classification. Now, at the age of 23, he suddenly stops skiing. On Friday, Lucas Braathen announced his resignation in tears. The decision was motivated by the lack of freedom as a professional athlete. The ongoing tensions with the Norwegian association may also have played a role.

A ‘different’ athlete

Braathen’s mother is from Brazil, his father from Norway. He likes to dress feminine and paint his fingernails. He doesn’t fit into any category and stood out in the ski circus. But he is also offended by his style. That could also have influenced his early departure.

At the beginning of this year, Braathen gave insight into his emotional world in an interview with the “Red Bulletin”. At the time, he admitted that he had always struggled to find acceptance throughout his life. Even as a child, he never really belonged. «As a child I was completely insecure; everywhere we went, I was the new one, the stranger, the outsider. I tried to fit in, adopted the accent, imitated the behavior.”

Actually, he wanted to look like Ronaldinho

But Braathen got into skiing and his father, who had worked at several ski resorts in Norway, introduced him. At first he wasn’t enthusiastic at all. “At first I didn’t think it was cool at all and I tried all kinds of excuses. I argued that as a half-Brazilian I was not made for the cold,” says Braathen.

Because as a kid he actually imitated a Brazilian soccer star. “First I was a footballer and I wanted to be like Ronaldinho.” But over time, he discovered his talent for ski racing – and bet his money on it. It was worth it: in December 2018, Braathen was able to make her World Cup debut for Norway in Val-d’Isère. Almost two years later, with starting number 34, he took first place in the first run of the Kitzbüheler Slalom.

He wants to break old rules

Today, Braathen’s idol is no longer Ronaldinho. But Apple founder Steve Jobs. “He is my role model because he defied the strict rules that applied in the then conservative computer industry. He broke out and just did what he believed in.”

The young Norwegian decided to do the same for himself. His goal as a ski athlete is to “change the sport.” And he does that by consistently being himself. And don’t pretend. “I don’t want to have to limit my personality just because the system expects it. Or the skiing public. Or the Norwegian press. I don’t want to be dictated to how I should behave as a skier. And I hope I can be an inspiration to someone.”

At just 23 years old, he now retires from skiing. Ultimately, the strict, monotonous world of skiing may have been too rigid and entrenched for him. He can give himself credit for always standing on his own despite the odds. He managed to combine sporting success with his attitude. And wasn’t afraid to be herself. (sbe)

Source : Blick