Pinheiro Braathen wins Soelden giant slalom

Olympic champion Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the giant slalom in Soelden on Sunday, the opening race of the men's World Cup season.

The Norway-born Brazilian clocked a combined winning time of 1min 44.72sec for his ninth World Cup victory.

"There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders today," the 26-year-old said in reference to the beginning of his title defence and the highly-anticipated resumption of his rivalry with former GS king Marco Odermatt.

"But pressure is privilege and I was able to capitalise on that. What a relief to be able to open the show in this way."

It was Pinheiro Braathen's second victory in Soelden after he triumphed in 2020 while racing for Norway.

"It's amazing to look back at being able to be the youngest winner here and to come and do it again," he said.

"That's something very special for me. That very day here, when I was 20 years old, that changed my life."

The 26-year-old finished 0.48sec ahead of Switzerland's Olympic slalom champion Loic Meillard.

Meillard's teammate, five-time overall World Cup champion Odermatt, rounded out the podium, just one-hundredth of a second adrift.

"Soelden and me haven't been friends in the last few years so to start the season with a podium and some solid skiing feels good," said Meillard.

Odermatt was satisfied with third after having his pre-season affected by injury.

"To start the season with a podium is always nice," he said.

"I made a big step in the second run: I found the race gear and that's the most important thing.

"Lucas was too fast in the first run for the victory today."

Pinheiro Braathen had laid down the fastest first run on a shortened, wind-battered Rettenbach course.

And he held his nerve on the second descent to kick off his season in some style.

The World Cup circuit's next races come in Finland, where there will be a men's and women's slalom on November 14-15 in Levi.