Before becoming an Olympic Champion, Vincent Defrasne was a child of the Jura. A child of snow, cold forests, and wind-swept plateaus. His connection to the mountains predates his achievements: it was born from hours spent outdoors, skis on his feet, and an instinctive familiarity with cold, effort, and terrain. This intimate relationship with the environment later shaped his vision of technical apparel.
1. A Career Defined by Elite Demands
Olympic Biathlon Champion in 2006, Vincent Defrasne also earned two Olympic bronze medals (2002 and 2006) and five World Championship medals, including two relay titles and an individual medal in the pursuit at the 2007 World Championships. He also won a Crystal Globe in the World Cup. These results came from a rigorous training context: extreme cold, breath control, shooting under pressure, and long hours training in snow and wind. They form the foundation of his technical perspective on gear.
In 2010, he was chosen as the flag bearer for the French team at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, a recognition both athletic and personal.
2. Continuity Beyond Competition: Understanding Sport from Within
After retiring from competition, Vincent continued his involvement in sport, notably at the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne. For four years, he immersed himself in the global Olympic movement: governance, societal impact, and value transmission. In 2011, he became director of the Somfy Foundation, leading for over six years a committed strategy against inadequate housing. This experience strengthened his belief that organizations—including companies—bear environmental and social responsibility.
3. AYAQ: A Project Rooted in Territory and Responsibility
In 2020, Vincent Defrasne founded AYAQ. The goal was not to create just another apparel brand, but a technical and responsible response to real conditions on the ground: cold, wind, damp chill, variable intensity, long ascents, and demanding descents. The brand is built on three simple principles:
- 100% European manufacturing: fabrics from France, Italy, and Germany; production in Portugal;
- premium natural or recycled materials, selected for proven performance;
- design born from the field, developed with and for committed practitioners.
The objective is clear: to create credible technical gear for extreme conditions while minimizing the environmental and social impact of each piece.
4. An Athlete’s Perspective on Apparel
Vincent Defrasne approaches textile design like an athlete: with precision. A hardshell must resist wind without restricting movement. A base layer must regulate heat and moisture to sustain performance over hours. An insulated jacket must balance protection and mobility. This understanding of apparel, shaped by thousands of kilometers in real conditions, deeply influences AYAQ’s DNA.
“Before aiming for and winning medals, I was a kid from the Jura mountains. In creating AYAQ, I wanted to offer a technical range developed and produced in Europe, committed and high-performing.”
— Vincent Defrasne, Olympic Biathlon Champion
Conclusion
Vincent Defrasne does not see AYAQ as an extension of his athletic career but as a natural continuation of his relationship with the mountains: demanding, responsible, and grounded in the field. His athletic journey, Jura roots, and experience in international organizations fuel a shared conviction: technical gear must support adventure while respecting the territories that make it possible.