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All eyes were on Marie Bochet ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games after she had won the 2017-18 overall World Cup title. The French alpine skier had the difficult task of repeating her outstanding performance from Sochi 2014, where she took four golds.
But Bochet seemed not to feel the pressure as she stormed to quadruple gold once again on South Korean soil, winning the women´s downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom standing races.
She also delivered a glittering performance in the 2016-17 season. At first, her campaign was placed in jeopardy before it even got underway. The Frenchwoman injured her knee in training, forcing her to sit-out pre-season preparations while she waited for it to heal.
However, she returned just in time for the World Championships in Italy where she faced long-term rival Andrea Rothfuss. Bochet took gold in the women´s downhill, super-G and super-combined to take her overall medals tally at Worlds to 18.
But her impressive run of form was halted by the German in the giant slalom and the slalom with the German leaving with golds from both events.
Bochet, who has agenesis of the left arm, started skiing at the age of five and made her Paralympic debut at Vancouver 2010 at just 15. While she failed to win a medal, she used the experience to build her resume, following it up with four medals at the 2011 World Championships in Sestriere, Italy.
The Frenchwoman, a native of Chambery, went unbeaten at both the 2013 and 2015 World Championships, amassing an impressive 11 consecutive world titles.
The 2015-16 season also saw Bochet winning all her races and reaching 50 World Cup career wins. That resulted in a sweep of World Cup globes in all disciplines and the overall title.
Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency
Origin of Impairment
Congenital
Classification
LW6/8-2
Further personal information
Residence
Arêches-Beaufort, FRA
Occupation
Armed Forces Athlete
Languages
English, French
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She began skiing at age five. At age 11 she was identified by the French Handisport Federation as a potential elite Para athlete.
Why this sport?
She lived near the ski station Les Saisies at Areches Beaufort, France, and followed her brother into the sport.
Club / Team
Albertville Handisport [FRA] / Armee des Champions [FRA]:
International debut
Year
2008
Competing for
France
Tournament
European Cup
Location
Austria
General interest
Nicknames
Marinette ['Little Marie' because she was the youngest French athlete at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver], La Reine des Neiges ['The Queen of the Snow']. (la-croix.com, 15 Mar 2010; france-paralympique.fr, 01 Jun 2019)
Hobbies
Crocheting, cooking, hiking, spending time with friends and family, gardening. (IPC, 05 Feb 2018; sport.francetvinfo.fr, 10 Apr 2020)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning a total of eight gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. (sportbuzzbusiness.fr, 23 Apr 2018; IPC, 05 Feb 2018)
Most influential person in career
Her parents, and coaches Bertrand Viallet and Gaby Mollet. (les-sportives-mag.fr, 11 Apr 2017)
Hero / Idol
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, French alpine skier Jean Baptiste Grange. (ledauphine.com, 18 Dec 2018)
Injuries
In October 2016 she fractured the fibular head of her right knee while training in Tignes, France. She returned to training two months later. (les-sportives-mag.fr, 11 Apr 2017; ledauphine.com, 28 Oct 2016)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." (IPC, 05 Feb 2018)
Awards and honours
In 2019 she was named among the 40 French Women Who Count by the business magazine Forbes. (forbes.fr, 24 Sep 2019)
In 2018 she was named an Official of the Legion of Honour National Order in France. (republicain-lorrain.fr, 11 Apr 2018)
She was flag bearer for France at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (handisport.org, 05 Feb 2018)
She was named Best Female Athlete of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi by the International Paralympic Committee [IPC]. (paralympic.org, 17 Apr 2014)
She received the 2014 Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. (paralympic.org, 26 Mar 2014)
She was flag bearer for France at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. paralympic.org, 16 Mar 2014)
In 2018 she was named an Official of the Legion of Honour National Order in France. (republicain-lorrain.fr, 11 Apr 2018)
She was flag bearer for France at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (handisport.org, 05 Feb 2018)
She was named Best Female Athlete of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi by the International Paralympic Committee [IPC]. (paralympic.org, 17 Apr 2014)
She received the 2014 Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. (paralympic.org, 26 Mar 2014)
She was flag bearer for France at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. paralympic.org, 16 Mar 2014)
Milestones
At the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang she became the first French athlete of either gender to have won seven [and then eight] career gold medals at the Paralympic Winter Games. Four years earlier at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, she became the first female French athlete to win four gold medals at a single edition of the Paralympic Winter Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Nov 2020)
In 2013 she became the first female Para alpine skier to win the downhill, super G, slalom, super combined and giant slalom at the same edition of the world championships when she triumphed in all five events in La Molina, Spain. (paralympic.org, 08 Mar 2015)
She was the youngest French athlete at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, where she competed in her first event, the downhill, at age 16 years and 32 days. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Nov 2020)
In 2013 she became the first female Para alpine skier to win the downhill, super G, slalom, super combined and giant slalom at the same edition of the world championships when she triumphed in all five events in La Molina, Spain. (paralympic.org, 08 Mar 2015)
She was the youngest French athlete at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, where she competed in her first event, the downhill, at age 16 years and 32 days. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Nov 2020)
Ambitions
To compete at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. (paralympic.org, 13 Mar 2019; sport.francetvinfo.fr, 10 Apr 2020)
Impairment
She was born with an underdeveloped left forearm. (les-sportives-mag.fr, 11 Apr 2017)
Other information
CONSIDERING RETIREMENT
Speaking in mid-2020 she said she is planning to compete at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, but has also begun to think about life after skiing. "This winter [2020/21] I have two main objectives, the [2021] world championships and the World Cup on the road to the [2022 Paralympic Winter] Games. There is a strong chance I will be there [at the Games in 2022], even if I don't want to look too far ahead. I have started to think about other things [in life] than competing. I am not putting any pressure on myself, to be there [in Beijing] or to stop my career. [But] the time will soon arrive to move on to the next chapter." (ledauphine.com, 26 May 2020; ledauphine.com, 09 Mar 2020)
OCCUPATION
She is a member of the French army's 'Army of Champions' programme. "I have a contract with a status of 'civilian defense member'. It is a job with a monthly salary and social cover. It allows me to continue my sport. We are in regular contact with the army's able-bodied athletes, and it's a very enriching programme." (ski-handisport.org, 03 Apr 2020; fiphfp.fr, 01 Jan 2019)
OTHER ROLES
She has served as a member of the athletes' commission of the organising committee for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. She is also member of the International Paralympic Committee's Athletes' Council and the French Handisport Federation. She is also a member of Peace and Sport, a movement aimed to transmit the values of sport in zones of conflict around the world. (sportbuzzbusiness.fr, 23 Apr 2018; paralympic.org, 2019; huddlemakers.com, 24 Mar 2020)
TASTE OF HOME
She was born in the Beaufortain valley in France, which is known for the production of Beaufort cheese. Her parents have a farm where they raise cows, and Bochet always takes some of the cheese with her when she travels to competitions. "It's my reassurance. It takes me back to my valley. Having a little piece of this heritage with me in Korea [during the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang] was important. And, believe me, it had a peculiar flavour in Pyeongchang." During the COVID-19 lockdown in France, she spoke out in support of local cheese producers who were affected by the pandemic. "Beaufort is more of a cheese for aging but it is currently [during the COVID-19 lockdown] accumulating in cellars. This spring, the cows are producing a lot of milk. It is therefore urgent to help the sector, to eat Beaufort. " (parismatch.com, 07 Apr 2018)
Speaking in mid-2020 she said she is planning to compete at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, but has also begun to think about life after skiing. "This winter [2020/21] I have two main objectives, the [2021] world championships and the World Cup on the road to the [2022 Paralympic Winter] Games. There is a strong chance I will be there [at the Games in 2022], even if I don't want to look too far ahead. I have started to think about other things [in life] than competing. I am not putting any pressure on myself, to be there [in Beijing] or to stop my career. [But] the time will soon arrive to move on to the next chapter." (ledauphine.com, 26 May 2020; ledauphine.com, 09 Mar 2020)
OCCUPATION
She is a member of the French army's 'Army of Champions' programme. "I have a contract with a status of 'civilian defense member'. It is a job with a monthly salary and social cover. It allows me to continue my sport. We are in regular contact with the army's able-bodied athletes, and it's a very enriching programme." (ski-handisport.org, 03 Apr 2020; fiphfp.fr, 01 Jan 2019)
OTHER ROLES
She has served as a member of the athletes' commission of the organising committee for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. She is also member of the International Paralympic Committee's Athletes' Council and the French Handisport Federation. She is also a member of Peace and Sport, a movement aimed to transmit the values of sport in zones of conflict around the world. (sportbuzzbusiness.fr, 23 Apr 2018; paralympic.org, 2019; huddlemakers.com, 24 Mar 2020)
TASTE OF HOME
She was born in the Beaufortain valley in France, which is known for the production of Beaufort cheese. Her parents have a farm where they raise cows, and Bochet always takes some of the cheese with her when she travels to competitions. "It's my reassurance. It takes me back to my valley. Having a little piece of this heritage with me in Korea [during the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang] was important. And, believe me, it had a peculiar flavour in Pyeongchang." During the COVID-19 lockdown in France, she spoke out in support of local cheese producers who were affected by the pandemic. "Beaufort is more of a cheese for aging but it is currently [during the COVID-19 lockdown] accumulating in cellars. This spring, the cows are producing a lot of milk. It is therefore urgent to help the sector, to eat Beaufort. " (parismatch.com, 07 Apr 2018)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Downhill Standing | Final Round | 8 | ||
| Women's Super-G Standing | Final Round | 8 | ||
| Women's Super Combined Standing | Final Round | 4 | ||
| Women's Giant Slalom Standing | Final Round | 7 | ||
| Women's Slalom Standing | Final Round | 4 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Downhill Standing | Final | 2011-01-16 | 2 | |
| Women's Super-G Standing | Final | 2011-01-18 | 2 | |
| Women's Super-Combined Standing | Final | 2011-01-19 | 9999 | |
| Women's Giant Slalom Standing | Final | 2011-01-21 | 1 | |
| Mixed Team Event VI/Sitting/Standing | Final | 2011-01-23 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Downhill Standing | Race 1 | 2013-02-20 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-G Standing | Race 1 | 2013-02-21 | 1 | |
| Women's Slalom Standing | Race 1 | 2013-02-24 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-Combined Standing | Race 1 | 2013-02-25 | 1 | |
| Women's Giant Slalom Standing | Race 1 | 2013-02-26 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Downhill Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-08 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-G Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-10 | 1 | |
| Women's Slalom Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-12 | 9999 | |
| Women's Super Combined Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-14 | 1 | |
| Women's Giant Slalom Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-16 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Downhill Standing | Race 1 | 2015-03-04 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-G Standing | Race 1 | 2015-03-05 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-Combined Standing | Race 1 | 2015-03-07 | 1 | |
| Women's Giant Slalom Standing | Race 1 | 2015-03-08 | 1 | |
| Women's Slalom Standing | Race 1 | 2015-03-10 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Downhill Standing | Race 1 | 2017-01-25 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-G Standing | Race 1 | 2017-01-26 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-Combined Standing | Race 1 | 2017-01-28 | 1 | |
| Women's Giant Slalom Standing | Race 1 | 2017-01-30 | 2 | |
| Women's Slalom Standing | Race 1 | 2017-01-31 | 2 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Downhill Standing | Final | 2018-03-10 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-G Standing | Final | 2018-03-11 | 1 | |
| Women's Super Combined Standing | Final | 2018-03-13 | 9999 | |
| Women's Giant Slalom Standing | Final | 2018-03-14 | 1 | |
| Women's Slalom Standing | Final | 2018-03-18 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Giant Slalom Standing | Race 1 | 2019-01-22 | 1 | |
| Women's Slalom Standing | Race 1 | 2019-01-24 | 1 | |
| Women's Downhill Standing | Race 1 | 2019-01-30 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-Combined Standing | Race 1 | 2019-01-31 | 1 | |
| Women's Super-G Standing | Race 1 (from SC) | 2019-01-31 | 1 |
