In a race that perfectly encapsulates the drama of the Olympic build-up, Switzerland’s Loic Meillard denied Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen a historic victory, winning the final men’s World Cup giant slalom before the Games and sending a clear message to his rivals.
In the floodlit shadow of the Planai course in Schladming, Austria, the final World Cup giant slalom before the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered a story of near-glory and redemption. Switzerland’s Loic Meillard produced a masterclass in the second run to secure his ninth career World Cup victory, decisively denying Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen what would have been a monumental second win for his adopted nation.
The stage was set for Pinheiro Braathen after the first run. The Brazilian-born, Norwegian-raised skier, who made headlines last November by securing Brazil’s maiden World Cup victory in a slalom, led Meillard by a razor-thin margin. The world watched to see if he could replicate that success in the GS discipline and firmly establish himself as a Olympic medal contender for Brazil. However, Meillard, a former winner on this very slope in 2023, had other plans.
The Swiss skier charged down the icy course in the final run, posting the second-fastest time of the day to overhaul the lead. His victory by a commanding 0.73 seconds was a statement of intent as the sport’s biggest event approaches. “It’s always been a slope that I liked,” Meillard said, reflecting on his triumph. “And good memories from the first victory in GS and to win again here is amazing.” The win is his second of the season and a powerful boost to his confidence, with his best Olympic result to date being a fifth-place finish in the slalom in 2022.
For Pinheiro Braathen, the result was a heartbreak. Despite his near-perfect opening run, he couldn’t find the necessary speed in his second attempt, ultimately finishing second. The 25-year-old has been on a remarkable podium streak in GS since his switch to the Brazilian federation in 2024, racking up five second-place finishes, including three this season. Yet, he is still searching for that elusive first GS win under his new flag. “I really had the feeling that the victory would be mine today,” he admitted. “But it is OK, I didn’t find the speed in the second run. I’m impressed with Loic.”
His journey to this point is a story of resilience. Pinheiro Braathen stepped away from the sport in October 2023 following a high-profile dispute with the Norwegian ski federation over his personal marketing rights. However, he returned a year later to represent Brazil, his mother’s native country, and has quickly become a global force. While this race denied him history, his performance cements his status as a serious threat in both slalom and giant slalom at the upcoming Olympics.
The race also produced a stunning breakthrough for France’s Alban Elezi Cannaferina. The unheralded 21-year-old, who was eighth after the first run, unleashed the fastest second run of the day to jump into third place, 0.90 seconds behind Meillard. It was his first career World Cup podium. A 2023 junior world champion, Elezi Cannaferina’s previous best result on the senior circuit was an 11th place. His stunning performance bumped the defending Olympic GS champion, Marco Odermatt, off the podium into fourth place.
Odermatt, who still comfortably leads the GS standings with 450 points, had a difficult second run, losing time early on when he struggled for balance. While he managed to stay in the course, the error cost him a spot on the podium and provides a crucial reminder that even the greatest are vulnerable on the edge. The race for the GS crystal globe remains wide open, with two more races scheduled after the Olympic break.
This final World Cup event before the Olympics served as a perfect dress rehearsal, highlighting the sport’s shifting power dynamics. Meillard’s victory proves his medal pedigree, while Pinheiro Braathen’s near-win shows the world that Brazil is a serious player on the alpine stage. As the athletes now turn their focus to Milan-Cortina, the stage is set for one of the most unpredictable and exciting Winter Games in recent memory.
For the fastest, most authoritative analysis of all the breaking news from the world of sports, keep it locked here at onlytrustedinfo.com. We break down the why behind the win, so you’re always ahead of the game.
