Gianfranco MARTIN

Gianfranco Martin was a member of the national team from 1987-95 and competed in the World Cup for three seasons, from 1992-94, but never made a podium, his best result an 11th place in combined at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1992. He participated in two Olympic Winter Games, the highlight of his career being the silver medal in the combined at Albertville in 1992. At the Italian Championships he won one bronze medal each in downhill and giant slalom but won combined titles in 1992 and 1994.

After his active career he became a ski instructor in 1995 and was appointed federal coach in 1996, also serving as coach of the national team of disabled athletes. Martin is also the founder, president and chief engineer of the Freewhite Sestriere Ski Team, an association of ski and snowboard instructors who are dedicated to make disabled, as well as fully-abled, children acquainted with snow sports. He coached the national team at the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver, during which he also acted as a commentator for the Sky Sports television network.