Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen brought a dream gold medal within reach as he outclassed the opposition in the first leg of the men's giant slalom on Saturday to give himself a huge lead.

Brazil has dominated the World Cup and Summer Olympics under the banner of the "Samba Army," but it has had no presence in the Winter Olympics. This is unsurprising, as Brazil is a tropical country with hot weather for most of the year,

Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made South American sporting history as his samba skiing propelled him to a stunning Olympic giant slalom gold in a driving blizzard on Saturday.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the men’s giant slalom, earning Brazil’s first Winter Olympic medal and the first for any South American athlete.