Atle Lie McGrath/Lucas Braathen primer
“If I am the little devil, Atle is the little angel who follows all the rules,” says Braathen, who lets McGrath wake him up in the morning. “I'm very organized, Lucas is more chaotic,” says McGrath. “But I learned from him to let go sometimes, not to always be focused.”
Lucas and Atle are both professional alpine skiers, who specialize in technical racing. - Alpine Skiing consists of two categories, events which emphasise technical ability (Slalom, Giant Slalom) and events which emphasise speed (Super Giant Slalom, Downhill.) The aim in each is to ski through the blue and red gates.
Alpine skiing is an individual sport, but athletes have 'teammates' they train with - skiers who also represent their country with them. National federations fund and organize their training and racing. They spend a LOT of time together during the ski season; training, traveling from race to race, living in the same apartments etc.
Background
Lucas and Atle were born two days apart (19th and 21st April 2000 respectively) each with one Norwegian parent, and one parent with another nationality.
Lucas was born in Brazil, but his parents separated when he was 3 and his father gained custody and he moved to Norway. His father was a 'ski bum' taking jobs in different resorts around the country, which meant Lucas moved around a lot, an experience he professes to have hated. He used to adopt new accents and personalities each time he moved as a child. This means he now values 'being himself' a lot. He was at first convinced he wanted to be a professional footballer and rejected his dad trying to get him involved with skiing, saying he wasn't made for the cold.
Atle was born in the US in Vermont, but moved to Oslo when he was 2 years old. His father raced for the US in the alpine world cup circuit from 1984-1990. His mother was a cross country skier who represented the University of Vermont at NCAA level. He chose to become an alpine skier because his father bribed him with cinnamon buns.
Lucas and Atle met when they were 9/10/11 (they vary this in each interview tbh) as they both joined the same ski club, Bærums, near Oslo. They raced against each other their entire childhood, standouts in their age group. Atle describes how they came up together up through the European cup circuit, pushing each other all the way. Atle says they are each other's biggest competitors, but also that they've worked hard over the years to find a balance between that and being very good friends.
When they moved up to the world cup circuit together, it was Lucas who first scored points (getting on the podium) coming first in GS. (Atle described this as the best day of HIS life at the time on insta) but he also said how this motivated him, and he got on his first podium a few weeks later due to the need to catch up.
In Atle's own words they 'always seem to follow each other' which unfortunately included getting injured on the same day at the Adelboden race in January of 2021. Atle's reaction to this, ofc, was that it was 'fate' and that 'they should just get married'
Two years later, in January 2023, after rehabbing together, in Adelboden again, Lucas and Atle finished 1st and 2nd. They lost their minds. They said it was a childhood dream come true. Lucas is quoted as skiing into Atle's arms as soon as he crossed the finish line, the first person he saw, calling him his 'partner in crime'. (Here's a video of that.) Atle says he didn't even care which one of them won. Here are some more photos. Here's a interview, post-race. You don't even need to understand what they're saying, just look at their faces. There was a joint insta post.
In February 2023, Lucas suffered appendicitis and missed a couple of weeks. Atle reacted normally to this ofc, saying how HE felt crap, and mentioning how he was having to suffer and live in a single room without him. The injustice!
Whilst we're on bed-sharing, Atle has been on record to say that Lucas is the person he's shared a bed with most (so much so his girlfriend would take years to catch up.) Normal.
In March 2023, Lucas won the Crystal Globe for Slalom, awarded to the overall season winner. Atle was out injured and had to watch it on TV. He found this extremely difficult, calling it one of his toughest days mentally. He wanted to be there, not because he wished he were racing, but to celebrate with Lucas, to see his friend succeed in person.
The Norwegian Federation problem
As you may have already gathered, Lucas is not your typical alpine skier. He has a deep interest in fashion and art, and loves to express himself individually. In the off season, he tries to separate himself from skiing as much as possible. (Sorry Atle.) His trademark feature is his painted nails. He's vocal about wanting to increase the sport's diversity and appeal. In a conservative environment, this stands out.
Although skiing is an individual sport, much emphasis is placed on the team, especially for Norway, who call themselves ‘the attacking vikings’. There is a culture of unity and supporting each other, but also of conformity, furthered by Norway’s cultural norms, where it’s considered offensive to put yourself before others. Lucas spoke about being uncomfortable with this.
He’s often described as Atle’s opposite, a 'bird of paradise' whereas Atle is the rule follower, the 'model Norwegian' - Lucas says himself that Atle is the angel and he the devil.
A lot of athletes have struggled with the tight control and expectations the Norwegian federation have of their athletes. Previously, Kristoffersson broke away, and although he still races under the Norwegian flag, he does not train with the others.
This is further exacerbated by the strict control the Norwegian federation have of their athlete’s image rights, affecting their sponsorship deals and freedom of expression, and more generally, their autonomy. Again, Lucas isn’t the only Norwegian athlete on record as trying to protest against this. But it does seem to be a bigger deal to him than others.
Lucas has long chafed against the federation, and Atle has been drawn into this, given their long history of facing challenges together. Here's an insane anecdote Atle dropped on a podcast about how he and Lucas fell out over a TV show, when Lucas didn't feel like Atle was backing him up enough in the 2021 season. Here's another quote: "If I feel Atle is not committed enough to our interests, we clash."
The shock retirement
After Lucas was fined for a photoshoot he did with one of the Federation's competitors, and in the midst of a further souring relationship, Lucas announced his retirement from ski racing at the age of 23. He called a press conference literally the night before the start of the 23-24 season, in Sölden. I really cannot emphasise enough how dramatic this was.
His statement: "I’m done. I am a person that has always followed my own dreams and what makes me the happiest … for the first time in at least half a year, I’m happy after making this decision. For the first time in years, I feel free.”
This was a complete surprise to the Norwegian Alpine Sport Director. There was outcry across the skiing world.
The kicker? He only told his teammates (including Atle) the night before the press conference. Atle was devastated. After a long phone call with Lucas, he 'slept badly and cried a lot' - but also said he was proud of Lucas for making the decision.
He posted what can only be described as a public love letter to Lucas on instagram, complete with childhood photos.
The return
Lucas remained vague about his future plans. He said he wanted to pursue art and fashion, and that he would only return to skiing if he re-found his love for the sport.
He returned to the world cup circuit in Kitzbühel in January 2024 to attend a fashion show and DJ, and commented on Atle's season while he was there, saying how proud he was, and how happy it made him to see Atle getting on podiums.
When Atle made the podium again in Adelboden, Lucas posted to instagram about it, writing "I am so proud of you. Watching 'our' race today was extremely emotional. Thank you for keeping the legacy."
In March 2024, after much dodging of the question, he announced his return, under the Brazilian flag. It was, again, extremely dramatic. There was another press conference. There was this video from Oakley, which I think really demonstrates how good Lucas is at marketing himself.
Atle published a second emotional public love letter on instagram, saying how much he'd been missed, and how glad he was that Lucas is back where he belongs, but also how sad he was that Lucas would no longer be part of the attacking vikings. But he did also like a very normal comment suggesting he and Lucas get married and form a Brazilian team together. So.
Nevertheless, Lucas's choice to move away from Norway clearly hurts Atle. Lucas is being financed by his main sponsor, Red Bull, but he will have no Brazilian teammates. Atle was firm that Lucas would not be allowed to train with them anyway because of this, saying that Lucas could not have his cake and eat it, too.
Though he says he knew Lucas well enough to know he'd return to skiing, Lucas only let him know about his official return a few days before.
Lucas, for his part, described losing the relationship with his teammates as a sacrifice, and 'what hurts the most', saying he has 'one wish... to enter this chapter knowing we are as good friends as before'
There is definitely a sense of betrayal happening. Timon Haugan, one of Lucas's now ex-teammates gave a pretty shady interview when mentioning Lucas's absence and how there was 'less fuss' without him. Even as Lucas congratulated him on his win. Lucas, generally, has become a lightning rod for Norwegian culture, the federation, and the way in which athletes acquire sponsorships.
As the off-season starts, it remains to be seen what Lucas's interactions with Atle will look like next year now that they are no longer teammates, especially with the extremely tight team Norway run. There is a lot of love there. The eternal question is, of course, if it is enough to change anything. I know I will be watching to see.
Believe it or not, there is more than what I have included here. Here is my general atlas tag if you wish to delve further.
I will leave you with some of my fav interactions: Lucas dancing shirtless round their apartment, 'my man', Lucas yapping while Atle stares up adoringly, and liking fanpage content of your bro.
