Joël Retornaz
Joël Thierry Retornaz is an Italian curler from Cembra. He was the skip of the Italian men's Olympic curling team in 2006 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. This breakthrough inspired a sudden national curiosity for curling, a previously almost unknown sport for Italians.
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 six World Curling Championships, in 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019, skipping the team in each event except 2005. Their best record was an 7th place finish at the 2019 World Men's Curling Championship.
Retronaz has competed for Italy in 11 European Curling Championships, finally winning a bronze medal in his 11th try in 2018, skipping the rink of Amos Mosaner, Sebastiano Arman, Simone Gonin and Fabio Ribotta.In addition to curling, Retornaz breeds and races quarter horses. He is employed as a businessman.
