Joël Retornaz

Joël Thierry Retornaz (born 30 September 1983 in Chêne-Bougeries, Genève, Switzerland) is an Italian curler from Cembra. He was the skip of the Italian men's Olympic curling team in 2006[1] and 2018.

Retornaz gained sudden notoriety in Italy in occasion of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Despite the fact Italy has no curling tradition, and that the sport is practiced only by some hundred of amateurs, Retornaz led the semi-professional Italian team to a number of unexpected victories against strong national teams like that of Canada.[1] This breakthrough inspired a sudden national curiosity for curling, a previously almost unknown sport for Italians.[2]

Retornaz returned to the Olympics in 2018, skipping the Italians once again, while throwing third rocks. The team finished 9th with a 3-6 record.

Retornaz has represented Italy in five World Curling Championships, in 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2018, skipping the team in each event except 2005. Their best record was an 8th place finish at the 2018 World Men's Curling Championship.

Personal life

In addition to curling, Retornaz breeds and races quarter horses. He is employed as a businessman.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Joel Retornaz Biography and Olympic Results".
  2. ↑ "Gli azzurri del curling e lo spot in TV".
  3. ↑ http://cloudfront7.curling.ca/2015worldmen-en/files/2015/03/EYE-OPENER-TUESDAY-ALL.pdf


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