Pierre Vaultier
A French snowboarder who dominated the chaotic, high-speed world of snowboard cross, capturing Olympic gold twice with a blend of power and tactical genius.
Born 1987 (age 39)·French snowboarder·Birthday: June 24·Millennials
Biography
Pierre Vaultier emerged from the French Alps not just as an athlete, but as a master of the unpredictable. Snowboard cross, a sport often compared to motocross on snow, is a test of nerve, speed, and survival, and Vaultier became its most decorated Olympic champion. His career was a narrative of resilience, marked by a devastating knee injury in 2014 that threatened his first Olympic dream. He roared back, not only to compete in Sochi but to win gold, a feat he repeated four years later in Pyeongchang. Vaultier's approach was cerebral; he studied courses and opponents with the intensity of a chess player, translating that analysis into explosive starts and daring, precise passes. His two Olympic titles, won eight years apart, cemented his legacy as the man who could tame the chaos better than anyone.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Pierre was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Pierre Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Pierre's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Olympic gold medal in snowboard cross at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.
- Successfully defended his Olympic title, winning gold again at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
- Captured the FIS Snowboard World Championships gold medal in 2017.
- Secured the overall FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup title in the 2011-2012 season.
Did You Know?
He initially trained as a gymnast before switching to snowboarding at age 11.
Vaultier is an accomplished drummer and has played in a band.
He carried the French flag at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
His 2014 Olympic gold came after recovering from a torn ACL just months before the Games.
“In snowboard cross, you have to be a complete rider. You need the technique of a slalom rider, the power of a downhill skier, and the tactics of a motocross racer.”
