Lucas Pinheiro Braathen will be the first skier out of the start gate in the men's giant slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, while France's Léo Anguenot will start with bib number 10.
The Brazilian-born Norwegian skier, who now represents Brazil after switching federations in 2023, has drawn the coveted number one start position for the opening run of the Olympic giant slalom. This marks a significant moment for Braathen as he competes in his first Winter Games representing his birth country rather than Norway, the nation where he grew up and previously achieved World Cup success.
The start order announcement confirms that Anguenot will be the first French competitor to take to the course, carrying bib number 10. The 23-year-old from Megève represents France's hopes in a discipline where the nation has a proud Olympic history, including gold medals from Jean-Claude Killy in 1968 and Henri Oreiller in 1948.
Braathen's Olympic Return Under New Colors
Braathen's appearance at these Olympics comes after a tumultuous period in his career. The technical specialist shocked the skiing world when he announced his retirement from competitive skiing in September 2023, citing disagreements with the Norwegian Ski Federation. However, he returned to the sport just months later, this time representing Brazil through his mother's heritage.
The 24-year-old brings considerable experience to the Olympic giant slalom despite his recent federation change. During his time racing for Norway, Braathen claimed three World Cup victories and established himself as one of the sport's most talented technical skiers. His decision to race with bib number one suggests he has earned a strong position in the current world rankings or Olympic qualification standings.
French Giant Slalom Ambitions
For France, Anguenot's participation continues the nation's strong tradition in Alpine Skiing. The discipline of giant slalom has been particularly kind to French skiers over the decades, though recent Olympic success has proven elusive. The last French Olympic medal in men's giant slalom came in 1992 when Franck Piccard took bronze in Albertville.
Starting with bib number 10 places Anguenot in a favorable position, typically reserved for skiers ranked among the top competitors but not necessarily the absolute favorites. This starting position often provides good snow conditions while still allowing the racer to benefit from a slightly worn-in track.
Olympic Giant Slalom Format
The men's giant slalom at Milano Cortina 2026 follows the traditional Olympic format with two runs on the same day. The skier with the fastest combined time across both runs claims the gold medal. The starting order for the second run is reversed based on the results of the first run, with the fastest skiers going last.
The competition takes place on Italian soil, where Alpine skiing holds deep cultural significance and where the technical courses are expected to provide a stern test for all competitors. Both Braathen and Anguenot will need to navigate the challenging terrain and variable conditions that often characterize Olympic racing.
