Painted fingernails, luxury boots, colorful bracelets – Norway’s ski star Lucas Braathen brings fresh impetus to the World Cup circus.
Ski winter is coming! On October 22, the women’s giant slalom open the season in Sölden. A day later, the men are challenged at the Rettenbachferner.
One of the favourites: Lucas Braathen. Two years ago, the Norwegian won the opening race sensationally, and he’s now one of the world’s best. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old stacks deep. “I would like to say that I’m ready for Sölden, but it doesn’t feel like it. This race always comes like a slap in the face,” admitted Braathen on Thursday in Altenmarkt at an appointment with his outfitter Atomic.
Funny: The son of a Brazilian caused a stir with his styling. The youngster wore colorful pearl necklaces around his wrist, his fingernails were painted. As Braathen shows on Instagram, not for the first time.
“I have a creative streak. In sports you grow up in a pretty strict regime, it’s very conservative. But I have family and friends who allow me to be myself,” says Braathen. “I’ve worked hard for that. Not every coach will like my nails, but at the end of the day I’m responsible for my path. If things go badly, I have to take responsibility for it.”
Not only the nails, but also the youngster’s shoes are unfamiliar in the ski circus. Braathen wore black chunky boots from luxury brand Moncler. Manuel Feller, who was sitting next to his colleague, wanted to know: “Do you sweat in it?” Honest answer: “You don’t want to be there when I take them off,” Braathen grinned. “Beauty must suffer.”
