Mathieu Faivre Retires

After more than a decade on the World Cup circuit, French skier Mathieu Faivre (Head) has decided to close the chapter on his professional ski racing career.

The 33-year-old from Isola 2000 leaves behind an impressive legacy in Giant Slalom, the discipline where he built his reputation as one of the most technical and consistent skiers of his generation.

Born in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, Faivre made his World Cup debut at age 18 in March 2010 and gained his first World Cup podium in February 2016 in a giant slalom at Naeba, Japan. Faivre's second podium came a month later at the World Cup finals in St. Moritz, Switzerland, part of an all-French podium, having led after the first run for the first time in his career. He ended the season at a career-high position of fourth in the final giant slalom standings. Faivre's first World Cup victory came on home country snow in December 2016 at Val-d'Isère.

At the 2021 World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Faivre won two gold medals. He took the inaugural parallel giant slalom and the giant slalom three days later. A week later, he gained his second World Cup win at Bansko, Bulgaria, after a runner-up finish the day before.

Faivre represented France in the giant slalom at the 2022 Winter Olympics. He finished his first run in third position and, despite falling behind Žan Kranjec on his second run, maintained his position to take the bronze medal after a mistake from Stefan Brennsteiner

Faivre made his World Cup debut in 2010 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, immediately showing promise with a 15th-place finish. Over the course of 127 World Cup starts, he reached the podium 10 times, all in Giant Slalom, and celebrated two victories — his first career podium coming in Yuzawa Naeba, Japan, in 2016, followed later that same season by his first win on home snow in Val d’Isère.

His finest moments came on the biggest stages. At the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo 2021, Faivre achieved an extraordinary double, becoming World Champion in both Giant Slalom and Parallel — a rare and remarkable feat. A year later, he stood on the Olympic podium in Beijing 2022, earning the bronze medal in Giant Slalom.

As he now steps away from competitive skiing, Mathieu Faivre looks ahead to a new chapter, and we wish him all the best.