Lucas Defayet at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina : a source of immense pride for La Plagne and the Araucaria Hotel
The olympic adventure of Lucas Defayet, en route to Milan-Cortina 2026
Lucas Defayet, France's top skeleton athlete, will compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Having delivered impressive performances since 2024, he is fulfilling his dream by taking part in his first Olympic Games. This is a reward for someone who embodies the spirit of pushing oneself beyond one's limits, resilience and courage, both on and off the track.
Lucas Defayet at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games: a source of immense pride for La Plagne and the Hôtel Araucaria
From 6 to 22 February 2026, the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games will set the sporting world alight. This global event will also be marked by the participation of Lucas Defayet, a French skeleton athlete, who will fly the flag for La Plagne and the Hotel Araucaria.
A French leader in skeleton, Lucas Defayet is fulfilling his dream by taking part in his first Olympic Games, the result of a demanding career, strong choices and unwavering determination.
🏅 A destiny that began in La Plagne
Born in Rennes, it was in La Plagne that Lucas Defayet discovered snow sports at a very young age. He accompanied his father, a native of the resort, who worked on the Olympic bobsleigh tracks. It was in this unique environment, in the heart of the Alps, that his passion for skeleton was born, an extreme discipline in which athletes hurtle down an icy track, head first, at over 130 km/h. At just 18 years of age, he took part in his first European Cup, before gradually establishing himself on the international circuit.
🚀 A rapidly rising career, marked by a formative failure
Malgré des débuts prometteurs et de solides résultats, Lucas Defayet n’est pas sélectionné pour les Jeux Olympiques de Pékin 2022. Une déception majeure, mais aussi un tournant décisif dans sa carrière. Déterminé à atteindre le plus haut niveau, il fait alors un choix radical : se consacrer à 100 % au skeleton. Il se concentre sur le perfectionnement de sa pratique, recherche des sponsors, s’entoure d’un staff solide, et lance une préparation olympique ciblée pour Milan-Cortina 2026.
🌍 Global recognition before the event
During the 2024–2025 season, Lucas Defayet entered the world's top 20 thanks to his remarkable performances in the North American Cup and the IBSF World Cup.
These results made him a serious contender for France's return to skeleton events at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games.
⚠️ An injury threatens the Olympic dream
Just as things were looking up, another stroke of bad luck struck in April 2025: a cruciate ligament rupture. Without surgery, Lucas chose to focus on work, rehabilitation and physical strengthening, with a single goal in mind: to be ready for the decisive season.
🔑 The 2025–2026 season: decisive for Olympic qualification
Qualification requires solid performances in the North American Cup. Lucas got off to an exceptional start to the season:
- 🥇 3 wins and 🥈 1 second place in the first 4 races,
- Followed by 3 more podium finishes (1 second place, 2 third places)
These results officially secured his qualification for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games!
💛 Let's all get behind Lucas for the Olympic Games
The entire resort of La Plagne and the Hotel Araucaria are proud to support Lucas Defayet in this exceptional Olympic adventure.
👉 See you on 12 and 13 February 2026 in Milan-Cortina – and at the Hotel Araucaria – to cheer on our champion together!
