Joël Retornaz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joël Retornaz
Curler
Born (1983-09-30) September 30, 1983 (age 38)
Chêne-Bougeries, Genève, Switzerland
Team
Curling club, Pinerolo
SkipJoël Retornaz
ThirdAmos Mosaner
SecondSebastiano Arman
LeadSimone Gonin
AlternateMattia Giovanella
Mixed doubles
partner		Diana Gaspari
Career
Member Association Italy
World Championship
appearances		7 (2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
European Championship
appearances		13 (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
Olympic
appearances		2 (2006, 2018)
Medal record
Men's Curling
Representing  Italy
European Curling Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Tallinn
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Lillehammer

Joël Thierry Retornaz (born September 30, 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 seven World Curling Championships, in 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, skipping the team in each event except 2005. Their best record was an 7th place finish at the 2019 World Men's Curling Championship and at the 2021 World Men's Curling Championship.

Retronaz has competed for Italy in 12 European Curling Championships (as of 2019), finally winning a bronze medal in his 11th try in 2018, skipping the rink of Amos Mosaner, Sebastiano Arman, Simone Gonin and Fabio Ribotta.

Personal life[]

In addition to curling, Retornaz breeds and races quarter horses. He is employed as a businessman.[3] He is currently married and lives in Lugano, Switzerland.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Joel Retornaz Biography and Olympic Results". Archived from the original on 2020-04-18.
  2. ^ "Gli azzurri del curling e lo spot in TV".
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2015-04-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "2021 BKT Tires-OK Tires World Men's Curling Championship Media Guide" (PDF). Curling Canada. Retrieved March 30, 2021.

External links[]

Stub icon

This biographical article relating to curling in Italy is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

  • v
  • t
Retrieved from ""