Silvia Fontana Explained

Silvia Fontana
Country:Italy
Birth Date:3 December 1976
Birth Place:Staten Island, New York
Formercoach:Robin Wagner
M. D'Agata
E. Kramer
Frank Carroll
Galina Zmievskaya
Formerchoreographer:Nina Petrenko
Formertraininglocations:Hackensack, New Jersey
Beganskating:1980
Retired:2006

Silvia Fontana (born December 3, 1976) is a former figure skater who represented Italy twice at the Winter Olympics.

Career

Fontana began skating at age four. She began representing Italy in the 1993-94 season international competition. During her career, she won five national titles. She finished as high as 7th at the European Championships and 8th at Worlds. She finished 10th at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Following 2002, Fontana left competitive skating. She made a comeback in the 2005-06 season, hoping to skate at the Olympics in her home country of Italy. Her 2nd-place finish at the Italian Nationals qualified her for Italy's Olympic team. She placed 22nd in her final competitive event.

Following the Olympics, Fontana performed in ice shows around the world, as well as a skating competition on Italian TV. She coaches at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon, Florida with John Zimmerman. Their students include Haven Denney / Brandon Frazier. and currently Vanessa James / Morgan Ciprès.

SafeSport investigation

In December 2019, Fontana and Zimmerman, were named and accused in a United States Center for SafeSport investigation of covering up alleged sexual abuse committed by Ciprès via intimidation tactics.[1] Fontana received six months of probation, according to the person with knowledge of the investigation.[2]

Personal life

Fontana was born on Staten Island, New York, raised in Rome, and trained during her career in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Fontana married American pair skater John Zimmerman on August 28, 2003. The two coach together, and have served as ambassadors for Right to Play. The couple also have a line of sportswear, Karisma, which Fontana founded in 2009. They have representatives selling the clothing line in the United States, especially in the Midwest. Their daughter, Sofia Zimmerman, was born on April 2, 2012, at Northwest Medical Center in Coconut Creek, Florida. Their second daughter, Eva Zimmerman, was born on June 2, 2013, followed by their son Jack Zimmerman born in August 2016.[3]

Programs

SeasonShort programFree skating
2005–2006
  • Blues
    by C. Brown
2001–2002
  • Histoire d'Amour
    by Carlos Almaran
  • Another Cha Cha
    by Santa Esmeralda
  • Mexico con Amor
2000–2001
  • Flamenco
    by Otmar Liebert
  • Time to Say Goodbye
    by Andrea Boccelli

Results

Results
International
Event1993–941995–961996–971997–981998–991999–002000–012001–022005–06
align=left 10th 22nd
align=left 25th 24th 18th 16th 19th 10th 10th
align=left 22nd 20th 18th 13th 8th 11th 7th
align=left 11th 9th 9th
align=left 10th 7th
align=left 10th
align=left 7th 5th
align=left 7th
align=left bgcolor=cc9966 3rd
align=left bgcolor=cc9966 3rd
align=left bgcolor=gold 1st bgcolor=gold 1st bgcolor=cc9966 3rd bgcolor=silver 2nd bgcolor=gold 1st bgcolor=gold 1st bgcolor=silver 2nd bgcolor=gold 1st bgcolor=silver 2nd
GP = Grand Prix

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Olympic figure skater, coaches being investigated for sexual abuse allegations. Christine. Brennan. Christine Brennan. USA Today. December 10, 2019.
  2. Web site: Former Olympic skater John Zimmerman suspended following accusation of sex abuse cover-up. Christine. Brennan. USA TODAY.
  3. DavidBaden. David Baden. 341661835767975936. 3 June 2013. Congrats #SilviaFontana & @skaterzimmerman on birth of Eva Zimmerman Born 6/2/13 7p 6oz All healthy/happy! @icenetwork @usfigureskating.