Born in Oslo, Norway, but now competing for his mother’s homeland, Pinheiro Braathen has a decent chance at the Olympic podium in either slalom or giant slalom. If successful, he would become Brazil’s first Winter Olympic medalist. Regardless, the 25-year-old has been making headlines for a handful of years, starting with his shocking retirement in 2023 at age 23, coming off a World Cup slalom title. He returned to the sport just six months later, flying the Brazilian flag. He has won 19 World Cup medals, including six gold, but his only previous Olympic experience was disappointing, with DNFs in both slalom and giant slalom at Beijing 2022.