Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history on Friday, February 13, 2026, becoming the first South American to win a Winter Olympics medal after securing a gold in the giant slalom in Bormio, Italy, according to The Guardian. The same day, tragedy struck the Val d'Isere ski resort in the French Alps, where an avalanche claimed the lives of two British skiers and a French national, as reported by Sky News. In other news, England's Tom Banton led his team to a five-wicket victory against Scotland in the T20 World Cup, according to Al Jazeera, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew from a high-level meeting on Ukraine, as reported by NPR Politics.
Braathen, a Norwegian-born skier representing Brazil, celebrated his historic win as the snow fell. "Your difference is your superpower," the 25-year-old said, according to The Guardian. The victory was a significant moment for South America in the Winter Olympics.
Meanwhile, the avalanche at Val d'Isere hit the village in southeastern France around 11:30 am local time, according to Sky News. The British skiers were reportedly skiing off-piste, and the French national was skiing alone when the snowslide occurred. Local officials confirmed the fatalities.
In the realm of sports, England's cricket team, led by Tom Banton's unbeaten 63, secured a crucial win against Scotland in Kolkata, Al Jazeera reported. The victory kept Harry Brook's team on track for the Super Eights round of the T20 World Cup. England's next match against Italy on Monday at the Eden Gardens stadium will determine their advancement to the next round.
On the political front, Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled out of a high-level meeting on Ukraine, as reported by NPR Politics. The reason for his withdrawal was not immediately available. NPR's Scott Simon spoke to Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution's Center on the United States and Europe, about the Trump administration's strategy to end Russia's war with Ukraine.
In other news, Georgia Tech announced the finalists in its annual Guthman Musical Instrument Competition, according to The Verge. The competition, which has been running for 28 years, invites inventors to submit new instrument designs for a chance to win $10,000 in prizes. Early standouts include a henge made of fiddles and a chaotic evil triangle.
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