Lucas Braathen: Norwegian World Cup slalom champion announces retirement from skiing aged 23 - 'I feel free'
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Updated 27/10/2023 at 12:57 GMT
Norwegian skier Lucas Braathen has announced his retirement from the sport at the age of just 23. Braathen said he feels "happy" and "free" after making the decision. His time in skiing saw him burst onto the World Cup scene at just 18, and after disappointment at the 2022 Winter Olympics, he won the World Cup Crystal Globe in the slalom in 2023 after a fine series of performances.
Tearful Braathen 'so excited' for next journey after announcing retirement
Lucas Braathen has announced his retirement from skiing aged 23.
The Norwegian won the World Cup slalom title last season, after securing two race wins in the discipline in 2023, as well as one in the giant slalom.
"I retire. I told my team-mates yesterday," the Norwegian said, at a press conference ahead of the new alpine skiing season.
"I am a person that has always followed my own dreams and what makes me the happiest. And I’m never going to stop doing that, and I’m so proud of that.
"For the first time in at least half a year, I am happy after making this decision. For the first time in years, I feel free. And everyone who knows me, they know that if something leads me to happiness, it’s my freedom.
"I’m so grateful, though, to have been able to live this dream life of mine up until this point. Experiencing new cultures, people, places. And that together with the best group in the world, the best team. I’m so fortunate.
"That culture I’ve been able to be apart of… it is something that will remain with me for the rest of my life, and that’s priceless.
"I'm going to go on my little journey on my own now to try to find out what my next journey is, and I'm so excited for that."
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Highlights: Zenhausern claims slalom win in Soldeu as Braathen secures crystal globe
Braathen was born in Oslo, Norway, and was later to skiing than most but quickly made a name for himself on the slopes.
The 23-year-old made his World Cup debut in Val d’Isere in 2018 where he finished 26th and collected five points.
At the 2019 Junior World Championships, Braathen won the silver medal in the men’s Super-G and bronze in the combined event before going on to become a force on the World Cup scene.
He finished 15th in the giant slalom at the end of the 2019-20 season and would begin the 2020/21 campaign by picking up his first victory, remarkably recovering from 29th after the first run.
Four more podiums, including another victory, would follow in 2021/22 as Braathen finished fourth in the overall slalom and giant slalom standings.
Last season he stood on the podium seven times as he skied to overall slalom glory.
Braathen won the slalom events at Val d’Isere and Adelboden, as well as the giant slalom in Alta Badia, before picking up consecutive podiums in Wengen, Kitzbuhel and Schladming and finishing off the season in style at Soldeu to beat compatriot Henrik Kristoffersen to the title.
"There was nothing like that feeling of coming down, crossing that finish line and a lifetime worth of work getting realised and getting to share that moment with all the fans that have showed up, and just screamed at you with all their energy and their love," he added.
"That is something that I will be missing so much.
"And for me, at the end of the day, sports is entertainment. And what I've been trying to do ever since I came to this place was to put on a show and I'm proud of the show that I've been able to put on.
"But unfortunately, for my own sake, I've done my fair share now."
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Braathen takes win in Adelboden with two brilliant runs
Claus Johan Ryste, alpine sports director of the Norwegian Ski Federation, said: "I received word of Lucas's decision just before the press conference began, and this came as a complete surprise to both me and the rest of the support team.
"I have found that there has been a reasonable dialogue with Lucas and his father in recent times. Now, we want to take care of Lucas and hope that he will be okay. At the same time, we also need time to support the other athletes and the support team."
President of the Norway Ski Federation Tove Moe Dyrhaug added: "This is sad news and came as a surprise to all of us, and I deeply regret that Lucas has reached this conclusion. At the same time, we can do nothing but respect the decision he has made."
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