Vincent Defrasne, Founder of AYAQ

Vincent Defrasne is the 2006 Olympic Biathlon Champion.

Drawing on his sporting and professional experience, this passionate entrepreneur took on a new challenge by founding AYAQ in 2020.

AYAQ is a collection of ultra-technical clothing dedicated to outdoor sports. Each piece is developed through a rigorous ecodesign process and made exclusively in France and Europe, using only European materials.

The brand is built on a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, in step with changes in society, the economy and the climate. Production centres on natural and recycled materials sourced in Europe, in the heart of the Alps.

"Before setting my sights on Olympic medals and titles, and winning them, I was first a kid from the Jura mountains, a child of the snow, in love with nature and the mountains, and passionate about skiing.

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

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

— Vincent Defrasne, Olympic Biathlon Champion 

Turin, 2006

Born in the Jura mountains, Vincent Defrasne also has two Olympic bronze medals to his name, won in the relay events at the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Games.

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

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

Following a successful sporting career, he continued to work in the world of sport, notably spending four years at the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne.

In 2011, he became director of the Somfy Foundation. For more than six years, he led the strategy and projects of the foundation, which works to combat poor-quality housing. This experience strengthened his conviction that businesses have a major responsibility in addressing environmental and social challenges.