Former ski racer and passionate host Isolde Kostner.
Discover the background history of the unique and exciting career of the successful Italian women skier of Val Gardena.
I was born on 20.03.1975 in Bolzano and grew up in Ortisei as second child with two brothers and one sister.
I experienced my fist time on skis already with 2 years and 9 months and I was thrilled from skiing and snow from the very fist moment.
I attended the first ski course at the age of 8 and I was accepted at the ski club Val Gardena with 11 years.
In fact I would have preferred to play hockey, because my family is a family of hockey players, but it wasn't possible for girls to take part in the training. That's why I dedicated myself with great passion to alpine skiing.
Until the age of 16 years, I was trained by Karl Mussner from Selva. He taught me the technical basis, but also the mental approach to this sport and has given me a good basis for my future career as successful ski racer.
At the age of 16 I was admitted to the Italian national team. From then on until the end of my career I was coached by Valerio Ghirardi from Piemont.
After two seasons in the C squad I joined the A squad in the year 1993 and was now part of the national team. I had achieved one of my goals.
My World Cup career started in 1994 with 15 victories and 51 podium finishes, 2 down hill World Cup victories, 3 Olympic medals, 2 times Super-G World Champion and one World Champion silver medal.
In January 2006, shortly before the Olympics in Turin started, I announced my resignation because of my pregnancy. My son David was born in July 2006.
In October 2006 I married Werner.
In April 2008 Gabriel was born.
After my resignation from the high-performance sport I participated in the italian TV-show "Notti su ghiaccio" (Nights on Ice) and made the third place with my partner Lorenzo Magri. The fact, that not only performance was important in show business but also appearance, clothing etc was an interesting and very new experience for me clothing etc as these things were of no meaning in ski sport.
I participate in several charity races during the year and I enjoy the occasion to have a lot of fun with old friends from the World Cup. We are trying to catch up the time together which we didn't have when racing.
I feel very fortunate to have the hotel, because I can work at home and have a lot of time for my children and my husband Werner. My family means everything to me.
In my spare time I like to hike (we both, Werner and I, love the mountains) and I practise other sports like skiing (of course), cross country skiing, ski touring, mountain biking, and Pilates. For relaxation I read, do needlework and I am a fan of wellness!!!
The unique career of the former ski racer Isolde Kostner at one glance
The multiple Olympic medal winner, world champion and World Cup winner Isolde Kostner, is one of the most successful athletes in Italy.
1991
joined the national team
1993
Junior World Champion in super G
1994
Olympics in Lillehammer
bronze medal in super G
bronze medal in downhill
first World Cup victory
1996
WC in Sierra Nevada
gold medal in super G
1997
WC in Sierra Nevada
gold medal in super G
2001
WC in St. Anton
silver medal in super G
downhill World Cup victory
2002
Olympics in Salt Lake City
silver medal in downhill
downhill World Cup victory
15 World Cup victories
total of 51 podium finishes in the World Cup
Retirement from the sport in January 2006
.... After her career
09.07.2006
birth of her son David
15.10.2006
marriage to her long time boyfriend Werner and since then owner/manager of the Garni Residence Soraiser guesthouse
Winter 2007
participation in the television programme "Notti su Ghiaccio" (Stars on Ice), which was broadcast on the first Italian channel RAI UNO
20.04.2008
birth of her son Gabriel