Stefania Belmondo
Encyclopedia
Stefania Belmondo (born 13 January 1969) is an Italian
former cross-country skier
.
, in the province of Cuneo
(Piedmont
), the daughter of a housewife
and an electric company
employee.
She started to ski at the age of three in the Piedmont
ese mountains of her native city. She made her debut at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
in 1987. The next season she joined the main national team of Italy
, and then participated at the 1988 Winter Olympics
, held in Calgary
, Canada
. In 1989, she won a World Cup event for her first time, in Salt Lake City, and ended that season second overall.
, she won a bronze medal in the 15 km trial, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km. The 1992 Winter Olympics
in Albertville
brought the first gold medal for Belmondo, in the 30 km specialty. At the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
, she won golds in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit and the 30 km, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km before an injury to her right hallux
required a surgery, and caused a 4 month absence from competition.
After a second operation, Belmondo participated to the 1994 Winter Olympics
in Lillehammer
, gaining just two bronze medals; after this disappointing performance she decided to continue skiing, against the advice of her physician. The 1996-97 season was one of her best since the surgeries, when she won three silver medals (5 km, 15 km, 30 km), all were behind Russia
n Yelena Välbe
though she tied with Välbe in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit event. In the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano, Japan
, she won a third place with the 4 × 5 km, and an individual silver in the 30 km. The bronze medal in the relay was remarkable because the Italian team was 9th as Belmondo started her anchor leg. The 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
saw Stefania Belmondo win two gold medals (5 km + 10 km combined pursuit, 15 km) and a silver (4 × 5 km).
In her final year of competition, 2002, she won a gold medal, as well as a silver, in the Winter Olympics
. She concluded that year's World Cup in third place.
in Turin
, in her native region of Piedmont, she lit the Olympic Flame
at the opening ceremony
. During the 2006 Winter Olympics, Belmondo had a series of webpages on the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games website regarding her reaction and emotions during the games.
Stefania Belmondo (born 13 January 1969) is an Italian
former cross-country skier
.
, in the province of Cuneo
(Piedmont
), the daughter of a housewife
and an electric company
employee.
She started to ski at the age of three in the Piedmont
ese mountains of her native city. She made her debut at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
in 1987. The next season she joined the main national team of Italy
, and then participated at the 1988 Winter Olympics
, held in Calgary
, Canada
. In 1989, she won a World Cup event for her first time, in Salt Lake City, and ended that season second overall.
, she won a bronze medal in the 15 km trial, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km. The 1992 Winter Olympics
in Albertville
brought the first gold medal for Belmondo, in the 30 km specialty. At the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
, she won golds in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit and the 30 km, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km before an injury to her right hallux
required a surgery, and caused a 4 month absence from competition.
After a second operation, Belmondo participated to the 1994 Winter Olympics
in Lillehammer
, gaining just two bronze medals; after this disappointing performance she decided to continue skiing, against the advice of her physician. The 1996-97 season was one of her best since the surgeries, when she won three silver medals (5 km, 15 km, 30 km), all were behind Russia
n Yelena Välbe
though she tied with Välbe in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit event. In the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano, Japan
, she won a third place with the 4 × 5 km, and an individual silver in the 30 km. The bronze medal in the relay was remarkable because the Italian team was 9th as Belmondo started her anchor leg. The 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
saw Stefania Belmondo win two gold medals (5 km + 10 km combined pursuit, 15 km) and a silver (4 × 5 km).
In her final year of competition, 2002, she won a gold medal, as well as a silver, in the Winter Olympics
. She concluded that year's World Cup in third place.
in Turin
, in her native region of Piedmont, she lit the Olympic Flame
at the opening ceremony
. During the 2006 Winter Olympics, Belmondo had a series of webpages on the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games website regarding her reaction and emotions during the games.
Stefania Belmondo (born 13 January 1969) is an Italian
former cross-country skier
.
, in the province of Cuneo
(Piedmont
), the daughter of a housewife
and an electric company
employee.
She started to ski at the age of three in the Piedmont
ese mountains of her native city. She made her debut at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
in 1987. The next season she joined the main national team of Italy
, and then participated at the 1988 Winter Olympics
, held in Calgary
, Canada
. In 1989, she won a World Cup event for her first time, in Salt Lake City, and ended that season second overall.
, she won a bronze medal in the 15 km trial, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km. The 1992 Winter Olympics
in Albertville
brought the first gold medal for Belmondo, in the 30 km specialty. At the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
, she won golds in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit and the 30 km, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km before an injury to her right hallux
required a surgery, and caused a 4 month absence from competition.
After a second operation, Belmondo participated to the 1994 Winter Olympics
in Lillehammer
, gaining just two bronze medals; after this disappointing performance she decided to continue skiing, against the advice of her physician. The 1996-97 season was one of her best since the surgeries, when she won three silver medals (5 km, 15 km, 30 km), all were behind Russia
n Yelena Välbe
though she tied with Välbe in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit event. In the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano, Japan
, she won a third place with the 4 × 5 km, and an individual silver in the 30 km. The bronze medal in the relay was remarkable because the Italian team was 9th as Belmondo started her anchor leg. The 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
saw Stefania Belmondo win two gold medals (5 km + 10 km combined pursuit, 15 km) and a silver (4 × 5 km).
In her final year of competition, 2002, she won a gold medal, as well as a silver, in the Winter Olympics
. She concluded that year's World Cup in third place.
in Turin
, in her native region of Piedmont, she lit the Olympic Flame
at the opening ceremony
. During the 2006 Winter Olympics, Belmondo had a series of webpages on the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games website regarding her reaction and emotions during the games.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
former cross-country skier
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
.
Debut
Belmondo was born in VinadioVinadio
Vinadio is a comune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 100 km southwest of Turin and about 30 km southwest of Cuneo, on the border with France...
, in the province of Cuneo
Province of Cuneo
ayr is a province in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy. To the west it borders on the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ....
(Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
), the daughter of a housewife
Housewife
Housewife is a term used to describe a married woman with household responsibilities who is not employed outside the home. Merriam Webster describes a housewife as a married woman who is in charge of her household...
and an electric company
Electric company
Electric company can mean:*Electrical power industry*Electric Company *The Electric Company *The Electric Company...
employee.
She started to ski at the age of three in the Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
ese mountains of her native city. She made her debut at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
in 1987. The next season she joined the main national team of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and then participated at the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
, held in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 1989, she won a World Cup event for her first time, in Salt Lake City, and ended that season second overall.
Early success, injury, return, and later successes
At the 1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1991 took place 7–17 February 1991 in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The women's 5 km was reintroduced after not being held in the previous championships. The men's 10 km was introduced in this championships...
, she won a bronze medal in the 15 km trial, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km. The 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
in Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
brought the first gold medal for Belmondo, in the 30 km specialty. At the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1993 took place 19–28 February 1993 in Falun, Sweden, for the third time . This event saw the creation of the combined pursuit where competitors would skate one distance in the classical interval style one day, then follow the next day in the freestyle...
, she won golds in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit and the 30 km, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km before an injury to her right hallux
Hallux
In tetrapods, the hallux is the innermost toe of the foot. Despite its name it may not be the longest toe on the foot of some individuals...
required a surgery, and caused a 4 month absence from competition.
After a second operation, Belmondo participated to the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
in Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
, gaining just two bronze medals; after this disappointing performance she decided to continue skiing, against the advice of her physician. The 1996-97 season was one of her best since the surgeries, when she won three silver medals (5 km, 15 km, 30 km), all were behind Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n Yelena Välbe
Yelena Välbe
Yelena Välbe, née Trubitsyna is a Russian former cross-country skier.At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Välbe won a record-high fourteen gold , and three silver medals Yelena Välbe, née Trubitsyna is a Russian former cross-country skier.At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Välbe...
though she tied with Välbe in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit event. In the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
in Nagano, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, she won a third place with the 4 × 5 km, and an individual silver in the 30 km. The bronze medal in the relay was remarkable because the Italian team was 9th as Belmondo started her anchor leg. The 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1999 took place February 19-28, 1999 in Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria. The 7.5 km Nordic combined sprint event debuted at these championships.- 10 km classical :February 22, 1999- 10 km + 15 km combined pursuit :...
saw Stefania Belmondo win two gold medals (5 km + 10 km combined pursuit, 15 km) and a silver (4 × 5 km).
In her final year of competition, 2002, she won a gold medal, as well as a silver, in the Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
. She concluded that year's World Cup in third place.
Other career successes
- Belmondo also found success at the Holmenkollen ski festivalHolmenkollen ski festivalThe Holmenkollen Ski Festival is a traditional annual Nordic skiing event in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway. The full official name of the event is Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic. It takes place in March and has been arranged every year since 1892, except for 1898 and during World War II...
, winning the 30 km women's event twice (1997, 2002).
- As of 2008, she is the only woman to ever win the 30 km Olympic, World Championship, and Holmenkollen events.
- Belmondo earned the Holmenkollen medalHolmenkollen medalThe Holmenkollen medal is Norwegian skiing's highest award for competitors. It signifies top placings in international championships and other international events, including the Holmenkollen events....
in 1997 (shared with Bjarte Engen VikBjarte Engen VikBjarte Engen Vik is a former Norwegian nordic combined athlete. He won the FIS World Cup overall twice, in 1997/98 and 1998/99 with a total of 24 wins...
and Bjørn DæhlieBjørn DæhlieBjørn Erlend Dæhlie is a Norwegian businessman and retired cross-country skier. With 8 olympic gold medals, Dæhlie is the most winning winter olympic champion of all time. With nine gold medals in the Nord World Ski Championships he is in addition the most winning World Champion skier...
).
2006 Winter Olympics
At the 2006 Winter Olympics2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, in her native region of Piedmont, she lit the Olympic Flame
Olympic Flame
The Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928...
at the opening ceremony
2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics was held on February 10, 2006 beginning at 20:00 CET at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, Italy....
. During the 2006 Winter Olympics, Belmondo had a series of webpages on the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games website regarding her reaction and emotions during the games.
See also
Stefania Belmondo (born 13 January 1969) is an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
former cross-country skier
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
.
Debut
Belmondo was born in VinadioVinadio
Vinadio is a comune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 100 km southwest of Turin and about 30 km southwest of Cuneo, on the border with France...
, in the province of Cuneo
Province of Cuneo
ayr is a province in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy. To the west it borders on the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ....
(Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
), the daughter of a housewife
Housewife
Housewife is a term used to describe a married woman with household responsibilities who is not employed outside the home. Merriam Webster describes a housewife as a married woman who is in charge of her household...
and an electric company
Electric company
Electric company can mean:*Electrical power industry*Electric Company *The Electric Company *The Electric Company...
employee.
She started to ski at the age of three in the Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
ese mountains of her native city. She made her debut at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
in 1987. The next season she joined the main national team of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and then participated at the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
, held in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 1989, she won a World Cup event for her first time, in Salt Lake City, and ended that season second overall.
Early success, injury, return, and later successes
At the 1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1991 took place 7–17 February 1991 in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The women's 5 km was reintroduced after not being held in the previous championships. The men's 10 km was introduced in this championships...
, she won a bronze medal in the 15 km trial, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km. The 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
in Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
brought the first gold medal for Belmondo, in the 30 km specialty. At the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1993 took place 19–28 February 1993 in Falun, Sweden, for the third time . This event saw the creation of the combined pursuit where competitors would skate one distance in the classical interval style one day, then follow the next day in the freestyle...
, she won golds in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit and the 30 km, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km before an injury to her right hallux
Hallux
In tetrapods, the hallux is the innermost toe of the foot. Despite its name it may not be the longest toe on the foot of some individuals...
required a surgery, and caused a 4 month absence from competition.
After a second operation, Belmondo participated to the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
in Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
, gaining just two bronze medals; after this disappointing performance she decided to continue skiing, against the advice of her physician. The 1996-97 season was one of her best since the surgeries, when she won three silver medals (5 km, 15 km, 30 km), all were behind Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n Yelena Välbe
Yelena Välbe
Yelena Välbe, née Trubitsyna is a Russian former cross-country skier.At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Välbe won a record-high fourteen gold , and three silver medals Yelena Välbe, née Trubitsyna is a Russian former cross-country skier.At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Välbe...
though she tied with Välbe in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit event. In the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
in Nagano, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, she won a third place with the 4 × 5 km, and an individual silver in the 30 km. The bronze medal in the relay was remarkable because the Italian team was 9th as Belmondo started her anchor leg. The 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1999 took place February 19-28, 1999 in Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria. The 7.5 km Nordic combined sprint event debuted at these championships.- 10 km classical :February 22, 1999- 10 km + 15 km combined pursuit :...
saw Stefania Belmondo win two gold medals (5 km + 10 km combined pursuit, 15 km) and a silver (4 × 5 km).
In her final year of competition, 2002, she won a gold medal, as well as a silver, in the Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
. She concluded that year's World Cup in third place.
Other career successes
- Belmondo also found success at the Holmenkollen ski festivalHolmenkollen ski festivalThe Holmenkollen Ski Festival is a traditional annual Nordic skiing event in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway. The full official name of the event is Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic. It takes place in March and has been arranged every year since 1892, except for 1898 and during World War II...
, winning the 30 km women's event twice (1997, 2002).
- As of 2008, she is the only woman to ever win the 30 km Olympic, World Championship, and Holmenkollen events.
- Belmondo earned the Holmenkollen medalHolmenkollen medalThe Holmenkollen medal is Norwegian skiing's highest award for competitors. It signifies top placings in international championships and other international events, including the Holmenkollen events....
in 1997 (shared with Bjarte Engen VikBjarte Engen VikBjarte Engen Vik is a former Norwegian nordic combined athlete. He won the FIS World Cup overall twice, in 1997/98 and 1998/99 with a total of 24 wins...
and Bjørn DæhlieBjørn DæhlieBjørn Erlend Dæhlie is a Norwegian businessman and retired cross-country skier. With 8 olympic gold medals, Dæhlie is the most winning winter olympic champion of all time. With nine gold medals in the Nord World Ski Championships he is in addition the most winning World Champion skier...
).
2006 Winter Olympics
At the 2006 Winter Olympics2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, in her native region of Piedmont, she lit the Olympic Flame
Olympic Flame
The Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928...
at the opening ceremony
2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics was held on February 10, 2006 beginning at 20:00 CET at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, Italy....
. During the 2006 Winter Olympics, Belmondo had a series of webpages on the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games website regarding her reaction and emotions during the games.
See also
Stefania Belmondo (born 13 January 1969) is an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
former cross-country skier
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
.
Debut
Belmondo was born in VinadioVinadio
Vinadio is a comune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 100 km southwest of Turin and about 30 km southwest of Cuneo, on the border with France...
, in the province of Cuneo
Province of Cuneo
ayr is a province in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy. To the west it borders on the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ....
(Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
), the daughter of a housewife
Housewife
Housewife is a term used to describe a married woman with household responsibilities who is not employed outside the home. Merriam Webster describes a housewife as a married woman who is in charge of her household...
and an electric company
Electric company
Electric company can mean:*Electrical power industry*Electric Company *The Electric Company *The Electric Company...
employee.
She started to ski at the age of three in the Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
ese mountains of her native city. She made her debut at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
in 1987. The next season she joined the main national team of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and then participated at the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
, held in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 1989, she won a World Cup event for her first time, in Salt Lake City, and ended that season second overall.
Early success, injury, return, and later successes
At the 1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1991 took place 7–17 February 1991 in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The women's 5 km was reintroduced after not being held in the previous championships. The men's 10 km was introduced in this championships...
, she won a bronze medal in the 15 km trial, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km. The 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
in Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
brought the first gold medal for Belmondo, in the 30 km specialty. At the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1993 took place 19–28 February 1993 in Falun, Sweden, for the third time . This event saw the creation of the combined pursuit where competitors would skate one distance in the classical interval style one day, then follow the next day in the freestyle...
, she won golds in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit and the 30 km, and a silver in the 4 × 5 km before an injury to her right hallux
Hallux
In tetrapods, the hallux is the innermost toe of the foot. Despite its name it may not be the longest toe on the foot of some individuals...
required a surgery, and caused a 4 month absence from competition.
After a second operation, Belmondo participated to the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
in Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
, gaining just two bronze medals; after this disappointing performance she decided to continue skiing, against the advice of her physician. The 1996-97 season was one of her best since the surgeries, when she won three silver medals (5 km, 15 km, 30 km), all were behind Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n Yelena Välbe
Yelena Välbe
Yelena Välbe, née Trubitsyna is a Russian former cross-country skier.At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Välbe won a record-high fourteen gold , and three silver medals Yelena Välbe, née Trubitsyna is a Russian former cross-country skier.At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Välbe...
though she tied with Välbe in the 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit event. In the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
in Nagano, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, she won a third place with the 4 × 5 km, and an individual silver in the 30 km. The bronze medal in the relay was remarkable because the Italian team was 9th as Belmondo started her anchor leg. The 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1999 took place February 19-28, 1999 in Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria. The 7.5 km Nordic combined sprint event debuted at these championships.- 10 km classical :February 22, 1999- 10 km + 15 km combined pursuit :...
saw Stefania Belmondo win two gold medals (5 km + 10 km combined pursuit, 15 km) and a silver (4 × 5 km).
In her final year of competition, 2002, she won a gold medal, as well as a silver, in the Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
. She concluded that year's World Cup in third place.
Other career successes
- Belmondo also found success at the Holmenkollen ski festivalHolmenkollen ski festivalThe Holmenkollen Ski Festival is a traditional annual Nordic skiing event in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway. The full official name of the event is Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic. It takes place in March and has been arranged every year since 1892, except for 1898 and during World War II...
, winning the 30 km women's event twice (1997, 2002).
- As of 2008, she is the only woman to ever win the 30 km Olympic, World Championship, and Holmenkollen events.
- Belmondo earned the Holmenkollen medalHolmenkollen medalThe Holmenkollen medal is Norwegian skiing's highest award for competitors. It signifies top placings in international championships and other international events, including the Holmenkollen events....
in 1997 (shared with Bjarte Engen VikBjarte Engen VikBjarte Engen Vik is a former Norwegian nordic combined athlete. He won the FIS World Cup overall twice, in 1997/98 and 1998/99 with a total of 24 wins...
and Bjørn DæhlieBjørn DæhlieBjørn Erlend Dæhlie is a Norwegian businessman and retired cross-country skier. With 8 olympic gold medals, Dæhlie is the most winning winter olympic champion of all time. With nine gold medals in the Nord World Ski Championships he is in addition the most winning World Champion skier...
).
2006 Winter Olympics
At the 2006 Winter Olympics2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, in her native region of Piedmont, she lit the Olympic Flame
Olympic Flame
The Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928...
at the opening ceremony
2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics was held on February 10, 2006 beginning at 20:00 CET at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, Italy....
. During the 2006 Winter Olympics, Belmondo had a series of webpages on the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games website regarding her reaction and emotions during the games.