SÖLDEN (AUSTRIA), 27 Oct. (dpa/EP) –
The Norwegian skier Lucas Braathen, winner of the Crystal Globe in slalom in 2022, has surprisingly announced his retirement from sports at the age of 23, two days before the giant slalom that will open the Ski World Cup season in Sölden (Austria) Alpine.
Braathen, one of the best Norwegian talents in this sport, announced this Friday at a press conference that his career “is over.” On his official Instagram account, the Scandinavian athlete posted a short video of himself skiing and saying “thank you” in several different languages.
The athlete was recently involved in a dispute with the Norwegian Ski Federation over his image rights. Braathen was threatened with a fine after making an advertisement for a fashion brand and, apparently, without the permission of the federation, which in turn has an agreement with the Helly Hansen brand that establishes that athletes cannot wear other clothing. .
After making his decision public, Braathen said he felt happy for the first time in more than half a year. He stressed, however, that he is not retiring “in protest” because he is “vindictive or bitter.”
The sporting director of the Norwegian federation, Claus Johan Ryste, said it was “a sad day”. Braathen’s decision “surprised” and also “shocked a little” the federation. According to a spokesperson for the federation, the athlete has already left Sölden.
Braathen took his first career victory in the World Cup season-opening giant slalom event in Sölden in 2020 and was slalom champion last season.