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] 2018, and 2022.
| Joël Retornaz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 September 1983 |
| Team | |
| Curling club | SC Pinerolo, Pinerolo |
| Skip | Joël Retornaz |
| Third | Amos Mosaner |
| Second | Sebastiano Arman |
| Lead | Mattia Giovanella |
Curling career  | |
| Member Association |  Italy |
| World Championship appearances | 9 (2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023) |
| European Championship appearances | 14 (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) |
| Olympic appearances | 3 (2006, 2018, 2022) |
| Grand Slam victories | 2 (2022 Masters, 2023 Tour Challenge) |
Medal record | |
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon}
Retornaz gained sudden renown in Italy during the 2006 Winter Olympics. Although Italy has little curling tradition, and the sport was practiced only by a few hundred amateurs, Retornaz led the semi-professional Italian team to several unexpected victories over strong teams, including Canada.[1] This breakthrough inspired a sudden national curiosity for curling, previously almost unknown in Italy.[2]
Retornaz returned to the Olympics in 2018, skipping the Italians again while throwing third rocks. The team finished 9th with a 3-6 record. The team finished 3–6 again at the 2022 Olympics, placing 9th again.
Retornaz has represented Italy in eight World Curling Championships, in 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022, skipping the team in each event except 2005. Their best record was a bronze medal at the 2022 World Men's Curling Championship, Italy's first medal at the men's worlds.
Retronaz has competed for Italy in 14 European Curling Championships (as of 2022), finally winning a bronze medal in his 11th try in 2018, skipping the rink of Amos Mosaner, Sebastiano Arman, Simone Gonin and Fabio Ribotta. Retornaz won a second bronze in 2021 and a third in 2022.
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]
Grand Slam record
Retornaz won Italy's first Grand Slam championship at the 2022 Masters.
| Key | |
|---|---|
| C | Champion |
| F | Lost in Final |
| SF | Lost in Semifinal |
| QF | Lost in Quarterfinals |
| R16 | Lost in the round of 16 |
| Q | Did not advance to playoffs |
| T2 | Played in Tier 2 event |
| DNP | Did not participate in event |
| N/A | Not a Grand Slam event that season |
| Event | 2021–22 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Challenge | N/A | QF | C |
| The National | DNP | Q | |
| Masters | DNP | C | |
| Canadian Open | N/A | SF | |
| Players' | Q | SF | |
| Champions Cup | DNP | Q | N/A |
References
- "Joel Retornaz Biography and Olympic Results". Archived from the original on 2020-04-18.
- "Gli azzurri del curling e lo spot in TV".
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2015-04-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "2021 BKT Tires-OK Tires World Men's Curling Championship Media Guide" (PDF). Curling Canada. Retrieved March 30, 2021.