Thierry Corbarieu

Our ambassadors

Athlete

This seasoned extreme adventurer and ultra-trail runner has an impressive track record. A specialist in ultra-long distances, he competes in races and expeditions across a wide range of natural environments and terrain types: mountains, desert, polar and tropical. His metabolism has an incredible capacity for adaptation. A former rugby league player in the second division, this challenge-driven athlete has the true soul of an adventurer.

Key Achievement

2025: Transatlantic rowing crossing without assistance with his 19-year-old son, Yan — 5,000 km and 50 days at sea
2023: 1st on the Iditarod 1000
2022: 1st on the Iditarod in Alaska — 500 km, 5 days non-stop in polar conditions
2019: First Frenchman to win the Yukon Arctic Ultra 700 km — 9 days non-stop in polar conditions
2019: 1st on the 1000 in Mauritania — 1,000 km, 12 days non-stop in the desert
2018: Reference time set on the GR10 Pyrenees traverse — 880 km, 65,000 m elevation gain in 12 days
2010: 1st on the 555 in Egypt — 597 km, 5 days and 23 hours non-stop
2009: Record on the 333 in Morocco — 333 km, 56 hours non-stop in

Future projects

Round-the-world trip with his 19-year-old son Yan: a 25,000 km journey by bike, rowing boat and on foot.
Lapland Arctic Ultra

Interview with Thierry Corbarieu

3 words that define you as an athlete?

Passionate. Precise. Challenger.

3 values that define you as a person?

Determination, patience, humility

Why do you feel you belong to the Cimalp family?

The Cimalp range perfectly meets my needs in the mountains, the desert and polar environments. The technical expertise and mindset of the teams help me deliver on highly technical projects where every detail counts.

What is your best and worst memory in the mountains, and why?

My best memory is my first victory at an ultra (the 333 in Morocco). Finding myself alone in the lead with a 7-hour advantage was an incredible feeling. The worst: a storm in the depths of winter on the Kungsleden in Sweden during a solo crossing. I had to push through winds of over 100 km/h with no possibility of stopping.

What do the mountains inspire in you?

Escape and serenity… After a week at work, spending a few hours or several days in the mountains helps me cope with the sometimes demanding pace of daily life. The mountains also inspire me with their beauty and immense power.

What is your relationship with the environment and ecology?

It is the foundation of my sporting practice, as I witness the effects of climate change every year, especially in polar environments. Ecology is a daily concern for me — I place great importance on water quality. 80% of my diet is plant-based.

Another great passion or talent beyond sport?

Cycle touring, rugby, sailing.