Ophélie David (née Rácz, born 6 July 1976) is a retired French freestyle skier who specialized in ski cross, an event in which she has won a world championship and four consecutive Winter X Games, as well as having previously been ranked number one in the world.

Ophélie David
Ophélie David in 2015
Country France
Born (1976-07-06) 6 July 1976 (age 48)
Cucq, France
Ski clubSC Alpe d'Huez
World Cup career
Seasons16 – (20032018)
Starts128
Podiums64
Wins26
Overall titles3 – (2006, 2008, 2009)
Discipline titles7 – Ski cross (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
Medal record
Women's freestyle skiing
Representing  France
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2007 Madonna di Campiglio Ski cross
Silver medal – second place 2015 Kreischberg Ski cross
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Ruka Ski cross
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Voss Ski cross
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Sierra Nevada Ski cross
Winter X Games
Gold medal – first place 2010 Aspen Ski cross
Gold medal – first place 2009 Aspen Ski cross
Gold medal – first place 2008 Aspen Ski cross
Gold medal – first place 2007 Aspen Ski cross
Silver medal – second place 2011 Aspen Ski cross

David began her career as an alpine skier, competing for Hungary at the 1994 Winter Olympics in both the slalom and the combined, both of which she failed to finish. David was able to compete for Hungary because her father, János Rácz, held Hungarian citizenship and had competed for that country in basketball at the 1964 Summer Olympics.[1]

David qualified to compete in the inaugural Winter Olympic Ski Cross race in Vancouver. She was considered the odds-on favorite for gold due to her long-time dominance in the discipline,[2] but crashed out in the quarterfinals and was placed ninth.[3] She finished in fourth position at Sochi after she fell in the final.

Personal life

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David grew up on the island of Corsica, where her retired parents still reside.

She is married to Phil David and they have a daughter named Lilou. The family is very close, making frequent use of Skype while David traveled for competitions.[4][5][6]

Her hobbies include recreational gymnastics, basketball, windsurfing, traveling, painting, books, and cinema.[7][8] She is also a competitive mountain biker, her biggest win being the 2008 Megavalanche race.[9] During the summer, she is involved with sports camps for children, and during the winter is a ski instructor.

She speaks French and English.

References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ophélie David". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Ophélie David - 2010 Winter Olympics - Olympic Athletes - Vancouver, Canada - ESPN". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  3. ^ "FIS-Ski - resultats". www.fis-ski.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  4. ^ "SALOMON International: Running shoes and clothing, trail running, hiking, ski and snowboard". Salomon.com. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - results & video highlights". International Olympic Committee. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "FIS-Ski - biographie". Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  8. ^ "Ophelie David - Biography | NBC Olympics". Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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