Joël Thierry Retornaz (born in Chêne-Bourgeries, Genève, Switzerland, September 30, 1983) is an Italian curler. He was in 2006 the leader of the Italian men's curling team.[1]
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.[1] This breakthrough inspired a sudden national curiosity for curling, a previously almost unknown sport for Italians.[2]
In addition to curling, Retornaz breeds and races quarter horses.