Maurice Manificat, best french cross-country skier
A natural winner
France’s leading cross-country skier, Maurice Manificat, did everything in his power to solidify his leadership at the French Championship 2017. Already praised for his victory in the Men’s 10 km Freestyle Cross-Country event at the start of the competition, Maurice strengthened his winning streak by claiming the skiathlon gold medal, a race that combines freestyle and classical styles, in Savoy.
Throughout 2017, Maurice also excelled in the Tour de Ski. No Frenchman had ever been as successful in this event. He also secured a silver medal in Toblach (Dobbiaco), Italy, and posted the best time at Alpe Cermis.
Ten years prior, Maurice made his first appearance at the under-23 World Championship. After three editions, in 2009, he won the 15 km freestyle event. He later earned his first two Elite Championship medals in 2015 at the World Championships in Falun, Sweden, with a silver in the 15 km freestyle and a bronze in the relay.
At the age of 30, France’s top Nordic skier enjoyed his best season ever. 2016 marked the year he was awarded the Chrono d'Or for Nordic skiing, alongside Martin Fourcade.
A nature lover
For the past five years, Maurice has lived in the Vercors region, where he enjoys training on a variety of terrains. He frequently participates in roller ski competitions in Norway and France, as well as mountain races. This allows him to train on different landscapes and escape the monotony of routine training. During the summer, he enjoys various sports like roller skiing to perfect his movements, along with running, Nordic walking, bodybuilding, and cycling/mountain biking. He even skis on glaciers to stay in touch with snow. Maurice also loves roller skiing in some of the most unusual yet beautiful regions of France.
A lover of nature and the challenges that come with physical effort, Maurice now seeks consistency in his skiing competitions. He aims to promote not only his own sport but also all outdoor sports.
Some unknown, unusual details about Maurice
• His favorite music style is electro-dance-trance, particularly French Touch artists.
• Maurice earned his molecular and cell biology degree in 2011 in Grenoble.
• “In Scandinavia, skiing is like playing football. I am better known up there than in France.”
His accomplishments
OLYMPIC GAMES
Bronze medal in the 4x10 km Relay (Sochi 2014)
4th place in the 4x10 km Relay (Vancouver 2010)
6th place in the 15 km individual skating event (Vancouver 2010)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Silver medal in the 15 km freestyle (Falun 2015)
Bronze medal in the 4x10 km Relay (Falun 2015)
WORLD CUP
Best overall rankings: 5th in 2010 and 2016; 2nd place in the 2016 distance rankings with 19 podiums, including 17 individual podiums and 2 team podiums.
TOUR DE SKI
4th place in the 2017 rankings
8 stage wins, including 2 first-place finishes
