Vincent Defrasne, Founder of AYAQ

Vincent Defrasne is the 2006 Olympic Biathlon Champion.

Drawing on his athletic and professional experience, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit, he took on a new challenge by founding AYAQ in 2020.

AYAQ is a collection of ultra-technical apparel dedicated to outdoor sports. Each piece is designed with strict eco-design principles and manufactured exclusively in France and Europe, using only European materials.

The brand follows a strong eco-responsibility strategy, aligned with societal, economic, and climate changes. Production relies on natural and recycled materials sourced in Europe, at the heart of the Alps.

"Before aiming for and winning Olympic medals and titles, I was first a kid from the Jura mountains, a child of the snow, a nature and mountain lover, passionate about skiing.

By creating AYAQ, I wanted to offer a range of ski and mountain sports apparel developed and produced in Europe.

The AYAQ world is eco-designed, committed, and high-performance."

— Vincent Defrasne, Olympic Biathlon Champion

Turin, 2006

Born in the Jura mountains, Vincent Defrasne also holds two Olympic bronze medals won in relay events at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Games.

He earned five World Championship medals: one individual in the pursuit at the 2007 World Championships, and four in relays, including two world titles. He also won a Crystal Globe in the World Cup.

In 2010, he was named flag bearer for the French Olympic team at the Vancouver Games.

After a successful athletic career, he continued working in sport, including four years at the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne.

In 2011, he became director of the Somfy Foundation. For over six years, he led the foundation’s strategy and projects, focused on combating inadequate housing. This experience strengthened his conviction that companies bear major responsibility regarding environmental and social challenges.