• Alexis wins his first Crystal Globe
  
• Johannes wins his third consecutive Biathlon World Cup title
  
• RM 67-02s shine on the podium

This wasn’t just any birthday, nor any world title. Alexis Pinturault decided to celebrate his 30^th this Saturday in Lenzerheide, Switzerland by lifting the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup (and, while he was at it, the Giant Slalom title too). All in all, the “most beautiful day of my career. I did the maximum I could. I’ve worked so hard for multiple years and now it just feels so great! Claiming a Globe and also the big Crystal Globe at the same time is something really unbelievable.”

More importantly, this weekend sees Alexis take his place as the most successful French skier in World Cup history. This 34^th career win in World Cup propels him into eighth position on the Men’s All-Time rankings. He also becomes the first French Men’s overall Crystal Globe winner in 24 years following in the snow prints of both Luc Alphand in 1997 and 60’s legend Jean-Claude Killy. As if that wasn’t enough, Pinturault is now the very first French skier with the most World cup victories in six different disciplines - Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, Combined, Parallel and City Event. “It was a hard year with some ups and downs, but in the end I am really happy to bring it home. It was a little bit harder on the first run as I was first to go and it was snowing through the night,“ he added. On the day, however, three decades of regimented lifestyle, cast-iron mentality and quasi-military rigour won through.

As a result, RM 67-02 glinted against the ice-cold trophy high up in the Swiss Alps. “I just want to say a big thank you to all my partners. Thanks to all the people who supported me.” Richard Mille has been doing precisely that since Alexis joined the family in 2014 and has no intention of stopping. Not only the Olympic Snow of Beijing beckons next year but also the next World Championships in 2023 on what will be home soil for Alexis in Courchevel. “We at Richard Mille will be more than delighted to celebrate his birthdays in exactly the same way for years to come!”

Pinturault wasn’t the only partner kicking up a storm in the snow this weekend, however. In Östersund, central Sweden, Johannes Thingnes Bø claimed his third consecutive overall Biathlon World Cup title by finishing third in the Men’s 15 km mass start. “I have no words to describe how relieved I am and also how happy I am!” said the 27 year-old Norwegian. This 3^rd World Cup adds to his Olympic Gold, two Silvers and 12 World Golds. Medals which definitely speak a lot louder than words.