Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history on Saturday, February 14, 2026, winning a gold medal in the men's giant slalom at the Winter Olympics in Bormio, Italy, and securing South America's first-ever Winter Olympics medal. The victory was met with exuberant celebrations, including samba dancing, as Braathen reveled in the moment. Meanwhile, U.S. Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin continued her disappointing performance, finishing another race without a medal.
Braathen's triumph was a moment of immense pride for Brazil. According to The Associated Press, the skier celebrated his win with "plenty of dancing" and emotional reflection during the playing of his national anthem. Silver medalist Marco Odermatt of Switzerland and bronze medalist Loic Meillard, also of Switzerland, applauded Braathen's victory.
The 2026 Winter Olympics have also seen success for the U.S. in other areas. Danny O'Shea and Ellie Kam helped the U.S. win gold in the team event, marking the first figure skating medal of the Games. According to Rachel Treisman, O'Shea and Kam are "on a mission to spread joy at the Olympics." In their Olympic debut, they scored a personal best in their free skate, exceeding expectations.
However, the Games have presented challenges for some athletes. Mikaela Shiffrin, a U.S. Alpine skiing legend, is running out of chances to medal, having fallen short in the giant slalom. Despite leading the World Cup standings this winter, Shiffrin has yet to secure a medal in the 2026 Winter Games.
Adding to the complexities of the Winter Olympics, a winter storm watch has been issued for Northern California, with "major travel impacts" expected for those traveling to and from the Sierra Nevada for the Presidents Day weekend, according to The Associated Press. The National Weather Service has advised travelers to exercise "extreme caution."
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