The curling stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo is a cauldron of anticipation, nerves, and national pride as the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold. All eyes are on Stefania Constantini, the 26-year-old hometown hero and defending gold medalist, as she battles for a spot in the next round of the fiercely competitive curling tournament. The arena, nestled among the snow-capped Dolomites, is alive with the thunderous chants of “Italia, Italia, Italia!” echoing off the wooden barristers, a testament to the passion of the Italian fans who have flocked here from across the country.
Constantini’s story is the stuff of local legend. Born and raised in Cortina, she attended the elementary school where her mother still teaches and spent her childhood sliding along the long hallway of her family home, imagining Olympic glory. Her journey from those playful beginnings to the pinnacle of her sport has inspired a generation in a town that proudly calls itself the cradle of Italian curling. Even the mayor, Gianluca Lorenzi, is woven into the fabric of the sport—himself a former national team member and the son of one of Italy’s curling founding fathers. “We can say she is our top athlete,” Lorenzi declared, underlining Constantini’s status as Cortina’s favorite daughter.
The pressure on Constantini and her mixed doubles partner, Amos Mosaner, is immense. After their stunning gold medal win at Beijing 2022, expectations soared. Yet, as the current Games progress, the pair have found themselves on shaky ground. Losses to Sweden and Canada on consecutive days knocked them out of the top four in the round-robin phase, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. “Today we struggled a little bit to adapt from the games yesterday to today,” Constantini admitted after a tough match. Mosaner echoed her sentiment, saying, “We have to restart. Try to avoid the mistakes and make our best performance tonight and we’ll see about tomorrow.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Curling may have once been a niche sport in Italy, but in Cortina, it’s a way of life. The local fans’ fervor is unmatched, and their faith in Constantini is unwavering. Carla Pelosin, who traveled from Noale with the Italian flag painted on her face, summed up the mood: “They seemed nervous today, but we’re confident in them for the coming days.” The support, Constantini says, is her secret weapon. “It’s special,” she shared. “Because they are really supporting us. It’s really good to play with this crowd.”
Constantini’s personal journey is as compelling as her sporting achievements. Until just a month before her gold medal run in Beijing, she worked as a saleswoman at The North Face store on Corso Italia. Now, she is not only a household name but also the captain of the Italian women’s team and a symbol of the sport’s growing popularity in her homeland. She has a pizza named after her at a local restaurant—mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, and prosciutto—and her boyfriend, a minor-league hockey player, once surprised her with a personalized cake featuring her face and the Olympic rings to celebrate her Olympic qualification. “Stefania from the town,” as she calls herself, has never lost touch with her roots.
But the path to Olympic glory has not been without controversy. In the days leading up to the Games, a storm erupted within the Italian curling community. Angela Romei, a seasoned curler with silver and bronze medals from the European Championships, filed an appeal claiming nepotism after she was left off the Olympic roster in favor of 19-year-old Rebecca Mariani. Mariani is the daughter of Marco Mariani, the national federation’s technical director and a former Olympian himself. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reviewed Romei’s claims of a conflict of interest but ultimately rejected her appeal, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove the selection was unreasonable. The judge noted, “It was unlikely the coach would select an inferior athlete simply to include a family member.” Rebecca Mariani is now expected to serve as the reserve for the women’s team, which is captained by Constantini.
The selection drama didn’t end there. The coaching decision to replace one of Constantini’s teammates with his own daughter became the talk of the town, even prompting Constantini’s mother to sign a petition protesting the move. The episode highlighted the intense scrutiny and emotional investment surrounding the team, especially in a community where curling is so deeply embedded in the local identity.
Despite the off-ice distractions, Constantini’s focus remains on the competition. After the early setbacks, she and Mosaner rallied to defeat Norway, keeping their playoff hopes alive. With crucial matches against Czechia and Great Britain on the horizon, the pressure is mounting. The Italian duo knows that any further missteps could dash their dreams of advancing beyond the round-robin phase. Yet, the spirit in the arena and the unwavering support from the stands seem to be fueling their determination.
Constantini’s achievements extend beyond her Olympic gold. She is also a world champion, having claimed the title at the 2025 World Championships, and has collected silver and bronze medals at the European level. Her leadership as the captain of the women’s team is widely respected, and her story is a beacon for aspiring athletes in Italy and beyond. The mayor’s words ring true: “She is our top athlete.”
As the women’s curling competition prepares to kick off in earnest, all eyes will remain on Constantini and her team. The opening matches are set for February 12, with the home crowd ready to lift their favorites every step of the way. The atmosphere in Cortina is electric, a blend of hope, pride, and the undeniable sense that something special is unfolding on the ice.
For now, the action continues, and the outcome remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Stefania Constantini is more than just an athlete—she is the embodiment of a community’s dreams, resilience, and passion for curling. As the cheers ring out and the stones glide across the ice, the town waits, breath held, to see if their hometown hero can deliver yet again on the Olympic stage.