aLExis PinTURaULT

alExis PinTuraulT, inTravEnous adrEnalinE

Mathilde Binetruy

In April 2022 in Courchevel, there was a snowstorm enough to flay the cattle, yet not enough to overpower the "Beast". On the slopes, Alexis Pinturault is beyond reproach. A cap on his head, ski goggles, and voilà, the ski champion can slash across the slopes with his eyes closed or almost. He is fully acquainted with every run, anticipates the slightest bump, and laughs off the weather: "It's not groomed? No big deal, it's like slicing through butter." "Pintu" stands for controlled mastery and passion ingrained in his body. The first time the partner of Richard Mille stepped into a pair of skies, he was only two years old. He was condemned to the slopes for life. His insatiable passion for speed and his drive for victory

were successfully put into practice on the slopes across several disciplines: slalom, giant, super-G, and combined. He won a bronze medal at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, bronze and silver in Pyeongchang in 2018, as well as the Crystal Globe in 2021, to name but a few. For nearly thirty years, this Viking, half-Norwegian through his mother, has been plying the Alpine circuit with the same determination: "There are two things that are important to me in my sport: pushing my limits and having fun". On the wrist of the young French skier: his ultra-thin, ultra-light RM 67-02 Automatic watch. He wears it during every training session and in the starting gate of every competition. Weighing only 32 grams, its composite materials - TPT® quartz bezel and back, TPT® carbon case - make it the perfect accessory

THE rm 67-02 auTomaTic wiTHsTands boTH ExTrEmE TEmPEraTurEs as wEll as HigH alTiTudEs.

sTanding aT 1.80m and wEigHing 80kg, alExis PinTuraulT PrEvails as onE of THE world's bEsT skiErs.

for his sport. It was custom designed to perfectly fit the skier's morphology and withstand the gates when skiing in full descent. As proof, even on a snowy day, he doesn't miss a beat.

In 2021, you took the overall crystal globe at the conclusion of an extraordinary season. This year, you dreamed of adding an Olympic gold medal to your record of achievement, alas you came up short. Would you say that your resilient, patient nature helps you deal with these two emotionally opposing events?

Without a doubt, yes. I'm an optimist by nature; that's what helps me keep things in perspective. The years spent at the top level taught me to analyse the competition afterwards, to understand what works and what doesn't. I don't dwell on a single failure like I used to; I learn from it to bounce back.

Taking a step back, is this something innate in you?

Not especially, although I learned to clear my mind since Saint-Moritz. (In February 2017, he entered the World Championships as the favourite and finished in 10th place, editor's note). The weight of demands, expectations, and the pressure, I manage them much better now that I have a team supporting me. I currently have six people looking after me: two coaches, a physical trainer, a technician, a physiotherapist, and a press agent.

Your press agent is your wife, Romane?

We met at the French national training high-school in Albertville fourteen years ago. She accompanies me as often as possible as does the rest of the team.

The staff, my family, the Courchevel resort, this is your base?

It's my base! It all started at my grandparents' hotel, which became my parents' hotel and where my sister is now the director (the Annapurna, editor's note). I learned to ski in Courchevel, that's where it all started.

What played a role in your career choice?

I could have been a footballer; I really loved the game. However, in the sport of football, you have to be detected, whereas in skiing, it's the results that determine whether or not you are selected. At the age of twelve, my Sports Club encouraged me to stick with skiing. I then left my home in Annecy to come and spend every winter in the resort to train more intensively.

Do you still play football?

Not only that, I'm crazy about sports in general: tennis, wakeboarding, golf, and others. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to enjoy them all.

You formed quite a powerful bond with the public. You are a shining example to others. And for yourself, who was your hero when you were a kid?

Ah that's a trick question because I didn't really have a role model. Maybe because I didn't watch sports on TV at the time. I preferred being outside, playing in the open air.

You turned thirty last year, what would you say to the kid you were back then?

I would say to him that the most important thing in a high-level sports career is to stay focused on your objectives and to enjoy yourself. And also, to surround yourself with good people.

This is where the choice of partners becomes important?

aT 32 grams, THE rm 67-02 auTomaTic is a fEaTHErwEigHT on THE wrisTs of sPorTing HEavywEigHTs.

"PinTu", also nicknamEd THE "bEasT", was boTTlEfEd on ExcEllEncE sincE HE was a cHild.

waTcHEs-nEws.com x ricHard millE Absolutely! With Richard Mille, we built up a relationship over the last seven years. We understand each other very well. It's a natural, almost obvious relationship.

The watch you are wearing - the RM 6702 Automatic - did you participate in its design?

I needed a lightweight, slim watch that would disappear from my mind during a competition. There are two main criteria for me: the weight and technical features. We discussed extensively with the brand's teams, especially as regards resistance. Its 32-gram case is made of Carbon TPT® and Quartz TPT, ensuring exceptional resistance to shocks. When in direct contact out there on the slopes, the watch is living dangerously (laughs).

Were you a fan of watches in the past?

The Courchevel ski resort offered me a watch when I became Junior World Champion in 2009. That was the beginning of the story.

And how do you envision the future?

Richard Mille is like a family! They stand firmly behind me. I still have many more victories in my sights. I don't have an Olympic gold medal yet but I have four years to prepare for it (smiles).