Mathilde Brodier, a Vallée des Belleville skier working towards top-level ski cross

A childhood shaped by the mountains

Mathilde Brodier was born in the Vallée des Belleville and has lived there ever since. "This is where I made my first ski runs and where my passion for the mountains began," she says. The environment let her start training early, in conditions that suited her progression.

She put on skis for the first time at age 3 and soon joined the Club des Sports des Menuires, which oversaw her early training.

A switch to ski cross

After one FIS season in alpine skiing in 2018/19, Mathilde Brodier decided to switch disciplines. Constantly seeking thrills and adrenaline, she took up ski cross. The switch took her onto the Europa Cup circuit, where she made her first World Cup appearances.

She describes ski cross as "a spectacular discipline that combines speed, commitment, technique and strategy." What draws her to it is the adrenaline of racing, the head-to-head with other athletes and the need to keep pushing her limits. In her view, each heat is decided as much by mindset as by instinct.

An uncompromising determination

Mathilde Brodier describes herself as "a very hard-working, fully committed athlete." Once she commits to a project, she says she gives it everything. "I'm not the type to give up. When I have a goal in mind, I do everything I can to see it through," she says. This determination shapes her daily training and drives her sporting progress.

Inspired by a former coach

Among those who have shaped her career, Fred Covili holds a special place. A former coach at the Club des Sports des Menuires, he oversaw Mathilde Brodier's training for several years. "His experience and track record made me dream, and made me want to progress and aim for the top level," she says. This relationship, forged in Les Menuires, still drives her sporting ambition.

Aiming for the 2030 Olympics

Mathilde Brodier's goal is to keep progressing in ski cross and reach the top level of the discipline. Her main ambition is to compete at the 2030 Winter Olympics, due to be held in France. "That goal means even more because the Games will be on home soil," she says. This prospect, she says, gives meaning to every training session and every race start.

Key points

1. Mathilde Brodier put on skis for the first time at age 3 in the Vallée des Belleville.
2. She competed in one FIS season in alpine skiing in 2018/19 before switching to ski cross.
3. She made her first World Cup starts in ski cross after beginning on the Europa Cup circuit.
4. A former coach at the Club des Sports des Menuires, Fred Covili, shaped her sporting career over several years.
5. Her main goal is to compete at the 2030 Winter Olympics, to be held in France.