– It is very good for the sport that he is back. He is a colorful person and many have been waiting to get him back, says Aleksander Aamodt Kilde to NRK.
Last autumn, Lucas Braathen told that he had lost the joy of skiing. The background was a harrowing conflict with the Norwegian Ski Association.
On Monday, there was a summons to a press conference in Salzburg where Braathen will talk about his skiing future. TV 2 and VG mentioned the comeback first.
Braathen has a Brazilian mother and therefore dual citizenship. Former teammate Aamodt Kilde would like him to return to Norway, but understands the choice.
– I have somewhat mixed feelings about that, and would like him to come back to us, but it is a sign that something needs to be done. That has not happened, he says and adds:
– Lucas is an incredibly good friend who I have missed being around. That he is doing well as a person is the most important thing to me. For me, he will still be Lucas from Norway, says Aamodt Kilde.
CHEERING: One year ago, Lucas Braathen cheered after winning the World Cup in slalom. Now there could be a comeback for Brazil.
Photo: Reuters
Aamodt: – He is a free soul
Braathen has been one of the best technical alpinists. He won five World Cup races in his career for Norway and last year was overall winner of the slalom cup.
– It is very gratifying. I welcome him back to the circus. He is a big profile for the sport. I think we cheer for Lucas regardless of whether he rides for Brazil or Norway, says former alpinist and Viaplay expert Kjetil André Aamodt to NRK.
– Will it be more positive for him to drive for Brazil?
– For his part, in terms of results, I don’t think it makes that much of a difference. He has the advantage of being on a Norwegian team with good athletes. But he is a free soul who has to live his life on the side of sport. All in all, I don’t think there is that big of a difference for him in terms of results, says Aamodt.
HAPPY: Viaplay expert, Kjetil André Aamodt, is happy that Lucas Braathen can return.
Photo: NTB
– Sad for Norway
According to VG and TV 2, there has been a dialogue between the parties regarding the release of the ski license in the last 24 hours. It was necessary for him to switch to a new nation.
– It was one of those scenarios that could be speculated on when it was announced that there would be a press release. This sounds very exciting, and he has been missed in the circus. If we can get him back, then it’s really bad, says NRK’s alpine expert Lars Elton Myhre.
Sports director for the Alpinists, Claus Ryste, does not wish to comment for the time being. Espen Graff, head of communications at the Norwegian Ski Association, doesn’t want that either.
– We do not wish to comment at this time, but refer to Thursday’s press conference, writes Graff to NRK.
NRK’s alpine expert, Nina Haver Løseth, has a two-fold feeling.
– Provided that this is correct, this is fantastic. But it is a little sad for Norway as a nation that we lose him as a performer. It is still positive for the sport that a personality like him can come back and make an impact on the sport, says Haver Løseth.
Has shown admiration for Braathen
NRK has tried repeatedly to contact the Brazilian federation on Tuesday, but has not received a reply.
NRK has previously been in contact with the Brazilian association. At the time, they denied that they had contacted Braathen and that the alpinist had been in contact with them.
However, they did not hide their admiration for Braathen.
– Lucas is an incredibly talented skier who, despite his young age, has already made a big impression in the sport. It is public knowledge that he also has Brazilian citizenship, said communications manager in the Brazilian ski association Pedro Cavazzoni to NRK before Christmas.
The bicycle helmet is ridiculed 00:44
Absurd WC blunder: — What are you doing? 00:29 Scandalous scenes in the World Cup: – Oi! It is extremely dangerous! 00:47 Klæbo – he hugged me tightly 00:51
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