Lucas Braathen sidelined after surgery

Feb 02, 2023

Lucas Braathen, one of the hottest medal favorites in several events at the upcoming FIS Alpine Ski World Championships, underwent surgery Tuesday. The Norwegian cannot race in this Saturday’s World Cup slalom competition. His participation in the World Championships is uncertain.

Braathen traveled to the Norwegian Alpine Ski Team’s tech camp in Hinterreit, Austria, on Monday. After experiencing increasing abdominal pain, he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Braathen successfully underwent surgery on Tuesday night at the hospital in Zell am Zee, Austria, the Norwegian National Alpine Ski Team announced Thursday.

“Really bad timing. The World Championships are among my great goals this season, but I will do all I can to make it to the slalom race on February 19. Give me a few weeks and we will see,” Braaten says optimistically, according to the announcement. Either way, he believes it is likely that he will be back in the World Cup races after the World Championships.

“Lucas will be well in a few weeks. There is a slight chance that he can make it to the slalom at the World Championships. We will do the work we can to help him make it, and keep all doors open for a World Championship start if he is well enough in time,” says the Norwegian Alpine Ski Team’s doctor, Trond Floberghagen, according to the same news announcement. Braathen is expected to travel back to Norway this weekend.

Out of the hospital

Braaten is already released from the hospital today, Thursday, he tells his followers on Instagram. He also writes: “It’s been a tough couple of days fighting after surprisingly finding out about quite an intense infection on my appendix. I’ve been through surgery and I’m blessed that it went successfully.”

In addition, the 22-year-old shares a hospital-bed photo, a post-surgery video and a short film clip of himself (carefully) dancing in front of the hospital mirror. In a third video clip, Braathen exits the hospital in style. In other words, his bright outlook on life and positive, colorful style remain remarkably intact.

Top form

Braathen has had a successful ski season up until now, with three World Cup victories, two in slalom and one in giant slalom. He has finished top-10 in all the 11 World Cup races he has completed this season, including six podiums.

Braathen currently leads the slalom World Cup standings and is placed sixth in both the giant slalom and overall cups.

One of the most surprising and impressive results this season came when Braathen and teammate Atle Lie McGrath started in their first-ever World Cup super-G race in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in December. Braathen finished ninth, while his friend and ski club teammate since their childhood days, McGrath, finished fifth. Fellow Norwegian teammate Aleksander Aamodt Kilde won the race.

Strong slalom team

Braathen is part of what many consider to be the world’s strongest slalom team at the moment. Before the World Cup slalom competition in Chamonix, France, on February 4, the six Norwegian men’s slalom skiers are all placed top-30 in the World Cup slalom standings: 1. Braathen, 2. Henrik Kristoffersen, 10. McGrath, 16. Timon Haugan, 17. Alexander Steen Olsen and 27. Sebastian Foss-Solevaag (reigning slalom World Champion).

The 2023 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships will take place February 6.-19. in Courchevel-Méribel, France.

About the Author: Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock

Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock is a former alpine ski racer and journalist from Norway, with a close tie to the US. Her racing background includes FIS, Europa Cup and World Cup, plus four years of NCAA racing for the University of Colorado Ski Team. The 1986 Norwegian national downhill champion also knows ski racing from a coaching perspective, including two years as assistant coach for the NCAA University of Denver Ski Team. Bente holds a high-level alpine ski coaching education from the Norwegian Ski Federation, a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's in international and intercultural communication.

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