Alpine skiers Pinheiro Braathen and McGrath: a friendship since age 12 and a Crystal Globe each

Brazilian alpine skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (Atomic) and Norway's Atle Lie McGrath (Head) have been friends since they were 12 years old. In the 2025/2026 season both won their disciplines in the Alpine Skiing World Cup, the top international circuit run by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), and each received a Crystal Globe: Braathen in giant slalom, McGrath in slalom. The new season begins on Sunday, when both start in the first giant slalom World Cup race in Sölden.

A shared path through every level

McGrath says the two have raced side by side in junior events, FIS races and the European Cup. Their early friendship was cemented by an unfortunate incident involving a fire hose. At last season's World Cup finals in Hafjell they were both fighting for globes, and each left with one. The Norwegian calls the way things turned out surreal.

Hard times bring them closer

Braathen stresses that the difficult moments, even more than the successes, have built the deep bond with McGrath. In his words, knowing each other for so long has turned their relationship into something more important than skiing together. They can share good times and be happy for each other, but the moments when everything goes wrong may matter even more. Being able to walk this road together since the age of 12, the Brazilian says, makes what they are fighting for today more special.