Neureuther zu Braathen: “I would marry you”

His teammates are in shock, the competitors believed it was a joke and the supplier speaks of a “catastrophe” – the surprising resignation of ski racer Lucas Braathen is reminiscent of the sudden departure of three-time Olympic champion Matthias Mayer in Bormio in December 2022. However, the Norwegian is only 23 years old and the decision is also based on disputes with the association. A change of nation would be one way to move on.

How thick is the final line?

How close the line is drawn to his ski career remains to be seen. Braathen, who has a Brazilian mother and a Norwegian father, left Sölden on Friday after his announcement. “Lucas is an athlete with a strong opinion, he was very clear,” said Norway’s alpine sports director Claus Ryste. At Atomic you get the impression that the train is driving over it from the Norwegian side. The company, however, remains neutral – but maintains its support for Braathen and, as we hear, would go along with a change of association.

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Slalom shot winner Braathen is not the first ski star to break with the Norwegian association over sponsorship disputes. The guidelines are strict and the individual development opportunities of those involved are severely limited. Braathen did an unauthorized fashion shoot and was fined. He apologized for the action, but no further contact was made with the association.

That may have been part of the reason for the decision, but there may be much more to it. Because Braathen also talked about how he lost his freedom the day he reached his goal and got into the World Cup and saw his happiness dwindle as a result.

Great sympathy

The sympathy on social media was great, ranging from astonishment to understanding. “If it’s because of the association, I would marry you and then you can compete for Germany,” wrote former German ski star Felix Neureuther. “Always with you,” said teammate and childhood friend Atle Lie McGrath. The South Tyrolean Christof Innerhofer said. “Oh no, bro. We need your samba on the slopes.”

• more on the subject: Felix Neureuther: “The ÖSV problems began with Marcel Hirscher”

Manuel Feller said that at first he thought it was satire. “Then they were really official media reports. He will have his good reasons.” When he looks back on his career, he also had these thoughts. “But in difficult phases. Things would have actually gone up steeply for him.” But maybe he just needs a year off and can find the joy in skiing again, Feller speculated.

At the end of last season – after the final in Andorra – we celebrated the slalom ball together in Barcelona. “He’s a fine guy and is up for any sport. I give more gas than him, but he likes to dance,” said the Tyrolean. He now hopes to see Lucas in the finish area with a shirt from the Norwegian Feller fan club. Braathen is definitely a guy that people turned on the TV for. “But there will be young ones coming who are also a bit crazy.”

Marco Schwarz also said that this was a great shame for skiing as a whole. “He was just good. A bird of paradise who got noticed. He’ll take off.” Stefan Brennsteiner thought it was a joke when he heard about his resignation. “It would be an extreme shame if it was really serious and stayed that way, because he is not only a great skier, but also a brutally casual and extraordinary guy. Skiing needs that very urgently.”