Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen wins giant slalom gold at Milan-Cortina, securing South America's first-ever Winter Olympic medal

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen claimed the men's giant slalom gold at Milan-Cortina on Saturday, securing South America's first-ever Winter Olympic medal.

The 25-year-old Brazilian delivered an outstanding performance, posting a first run of 1 minute 13.92 seconds and a second run of 1:11.08 for a total time of 2:25.00. He finished 0.58 seconds ahead of defending champion Marco Odermatt of Switzerland, who took silver. Odermatt's teammate Loic Meillard claimed bronze.

Another Swiss skier, Thomas Tumler, finished fourth, failing to reach the podium with a 0.28-second deficit. China's Liu Xiaochen placed 58th. ■