Norwegian Lucas Braathen‘s first World Cup podium turned out to be a victory at the season-opening giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, on Sunday.
Braathen, 20, jumped from fifth after the first run to win by .05 over fellow rising star Marco Odermatt of Switzerland on the Rettenbach glacier. Swiss veteran Gino Caviezel was third, .46 behind.
“Victory is too much to ask for,” Braathen said. “I know that my mental side is strong. I know that my technical skiing has improved a lot. I knew that I was capable of a podium.