Lucas Braathen Retires At 23, Hours Before Season Kick Off, Slams Norwegian Ski Fed'

Lucas Braathen, the reigning World Cup slalom champion, announced his retirement from ski racing on Friday at the age of 23. The Norwegian skier made the announcement at a press conference in Soelden, Austria, just hours before the first men's race of the season.

"I'm done," Braathen said. "For the first time in my career, I feel free."

Braathen explained that he had been unhappy in the sport for the previous six months and had decided to retire four weeks ago. He also criticized the Norwegian Ski Association for treating athletes "extremely disrespectfully."

"In order for me to continue skiing within this system, I had to not only put my dreams aside, but also my joy of living," Braathen said. "I'm not willing to do that."

"I deeply regret that Lucas has reached this conclusion," the president of the Norwegian ski federation, Tove Moe Dyrhaug, said in a statement. "At the same time, we can do nothing but respect the decision he has made." 

Braathen burst onto the World Cup scene at the age of 18, winning his first race in 2020. He finished second in the slalom standings in 2022 before winning the title last season with two race wins.

Braathen's retirement is a shock to the ski racing world. He is considered to be one of the most talented slalom skiers of his generation. However, his decision to retire is a reminder of the mental and physical pressures that athletes face in competitive sports.

Braathen said that he is looking forward to the next chapter in his life. He has not yet announced any specific plans for the future, but he said that he is excited to explore new interests and challenges.

"I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm excited to find out," Braathen said. "I'm grateful for all the opportunities that I've had in skiing, and I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life."