It’s Hard to Tell Why We Broke Up: Mikaela Shiffrin Confesses How She Still Misses Mathieu Faivre

For years, Mikaela Shiffrin and Mathieu Faivre were one of skiing’s most admired couples. Both talented, ambitious, and fiercely competitive, their love story captured the hearts of fans across the world. But like many relationships that begin under the bright lights of fame and the weight of constant travel, it eventually came to an end — quietly, without drama, and with many questions left unanswered. Now, Shiffrin has opened up about that chapter of her life, admitting that though time has passed, part of her still misses what they shared.

The Beginning of a Beautiful Connection

Their story began in the most natural way imaginable — two young athletes on the same circuit, both chasing dreams and victories. Mikaela Shiffrin, America’s golden girl of alpine skiing, and Mathieu Faivre, the proud French racer with a daring streak, met through their shared world of slopes and competitions. What started as friendship quickly deepened into something more meaningful.

“We understood each other without having to say much,” Shiffrin once said in an old interview. “We lived the same lifestyle, dealt with the same pressures, and we just got it.”

They were often seen together during off-seasons, traveling or training side by side. Fans admired how grounded they seemed — two people who had found love amid chaos. To many, they appeared unstoppable, not just in their careers but in their bond.

The Subtle Cracks Beneath the Surface

Yet behind the perfect photos and smiles, subtle tensions began to grow. The life of a professional skier is relentless — constant travel, time zone changes, endless media attention, and a fierce drive to win. “People don’t realize how hard it is to maintain a relationship when you’re both competing at that level,” Shiffrin later admitted. “You’re always focused on your next race, your next goal. Sometimes, love doesn’t get the time it deserves.”

Both of them had strong personalities and high expectations — of themselves and each other. “We were so similar in some ways,” Shiffrin said softly. “We both wanted to be the best, and that kind of mindset can make things complicated when you’re trying to build something personal.”

The pressures of competition began to create distance. What had once felt like a shared journey slowly started to feel like two separate paths.

The Moment She Realized It Was Ending

When asked in a recent interview when she knew things were falling apart, Shiffrin paused for a long moment before answering. “It’s hard to tell exactly when,” she said. “There wasn’t one big fight or one big mistake. It just… happened. We started growing apart.”

One of the hardest things for her, she admitted, was how gradual it all felt. “It’s not like waking up one day and deciding to end it. It’s a slow realization that what once made you feel safe now feels distant.”

Shiffrin described a particularly emotional moment — sitting in a hotel room after a race, scrolling through photos of them together. “I remember thinking, ‘How did we get here?’ We were still talking, still seeing each other, but the connection wasn’t the same. It was like something invisible had shifted.”

Love Without Blame

Despite the heartbreak, Shiffrin has never spoken ill of Faivre. Instead, she’s emphasized respect and understanding. “Mathieu is a great person,” she said. “He’s passionate, funny, and incredibly talented. What we had was real. But sometimes, even real love doesn’t last forever.”

She explained that their breakup wasn’t about betrayal or anger. It was about timing, maturity, and the different paths their lives were taking. “I think we were both trying to figure out who we were — not just as athletes, but as people,” she said. “And sometimes, you realize you’re meant to walk that part of your journey alone.”

Her words reflected a deep sense of grace — the kind that comes from acceptance rather than regret.

The Memories That Linger

Even though their relationship ended years ago, Shiffrin confessed that she still misses parts of what they had. “There are days when I’ll hear a song, see an old photo, or visit a place we went together, and it all comes rushing back,” she said. “It’s not sadness, exactly. It’s nostalgia — a quiet kind of missing.”

She described how Faivre was one of the few people who saw her in her most unguarded moments. “He was there for me when I wasn’t the strong athlete everyone sees. He saw me tired, frustrated, even insecure. That kind of connection doesn’t just disappear.”

When asked if she still talks to him, Shiffrin smiled faintly. “Not often,” she admitted. “We’re both busy, and we’ve moved on with our lives. But I always wish him well. I’ll always care about him, in a way that’s different now, but still real.”

The Lessons She Took From the Relationship

Looking back, Shiffrin says that her relationship with Faivre taught her invaluable lessons — about love, communication, and balance. “I learned that relationships need the same kind of attention that your career does,” she said. “You can’t just expect love to sustain itself when everything else is pulling you in a hundred directions.”

She also learned about vulnerability — something she admits hasn’t always come easily to her. “I used to think showing emotion was a weakness,” she said. “But being with Mathieu taught me that it’s okay to feel deeply, even if it hurts. It means you’re human.”

That vulnerability would later help her grow not just in her personal life, but in how she approaches her sport. “You can’t be your best self if you’re emotionally closed off,” she explained. “That relationship opened me up, and I’ll always be thankful for that.”

Moving On Without Forgetting

Today, Mikaela Shiffrin has found love again with Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who has become not just her partner but her greatest supporter. Together, they’ve built a relationship based on laughter, balance, and mutual respect. Yet, even as she looks forward, Shiffrin doesn’t pretend her past never happened.

“Mathieu was part of my life, part of my growth,” she said. “He was there during some of my most formative years. Forgetting that would mean forgetting a piece of who I am.”

When asked if she has any regrets, she shook her head. “No. I think every relationship teaches you something. With Mathieu, I learned how to love, how to let go, and how to find peace afterward. That’s not something I regret — it’s something I carry with gratitude.”

A Love That Shaped Her, Not Defined Her

It’s rare for an athlete of Shiffrin’s stature to be so emotionally open, but perhaps that’s what makes her story so relatable. Behind the medals, the world records, and the icy focus, there’s a woman who has loved, lost, and learned — just like anyone else.

“I think people forget that we’re human,” she said with a small laugh. “We fall in love, we get our hearts broken, and we heal. The difference is, sometimes we have to do it all while the world is watching.”

Her honesty is refreshing — a reminder that strength and softness can coexist. “It’s hard to tell why we broke up,” she said quietly. “It wasn’t one thing. It was life. But I still miss him sometimes. And that’s okay. It means what we had was real.”

Conclusion: The Courage to Remember

Mikaela Shiffrin’s reflections on her relationship with Mathieu Faivre reveal not a story of failure, but of growth. It’s about learning to love deeply, to hurt honestly, and to move forward without bitterness. “You don’t have to erase the past to heal,” she said. “You just have to accept it.”

And perhaps that’s what makes Shiffrin’s journey so remarkable. She doesn’t hide from her emotions — she honors them. She doesn’t rewrite the past — she learns from it. In doing so, she reminds the world that even the strongest hearts have their scars — and that’s what makes them beautiful.