Video: Matheo Jacquemoud, the comeback of a ski mountaineering champion

We are used to celebrating outstanding sporting achievements. We exalt the victories and the winners. But what stands behind each result? What’s the 'burden' of the struggle to reach not only those goals, but also to get there first? It takes passion and persistence, as well as huge sacrifices. And victory doesn’t always explain everything, isn’t always the true end point. There's always another goal beyond the one that has just been achieved, another mountain on the horizon. And sometimes, when you least expect it, suddenly you might be stopped in your tracks, by an accident, an injury…

This video stars Matheo Jacquemoud, the 26-year-old ski mountaineering champion who, after a memorable debut, in 2015 had a year that was difficult to say the least. His comeback wasn’t taken for granted. On the contrary; Jacquemoud seriously toyed with the idea of retiring from competitions altogether. But in the end his passion for ski mountaineering prevailed, as did his desire to return to the competition scene. It was an uphill struggle but he succeeded and, in 2016 together with the champion of champions Kilian Jornet Burgada, he won the legendary Pierra Menta ski mountaineering competition. In this video Jacquemoud’s story is told by Burgada and this certainly adds value to film. Well worth seeing!

Note: activate subtitles in English by clicking on the "CC" button on the Vimeo bar, bottom right.