Grand Slam Champion Retornaz Rebuilds With Young Italian Talent for 2026-27

Four-time Grand Slam champion Joel Retornaz is turning the page with a revamped Italian lineup for the 2026-27 season, pairing up with third Stefano Gilli, second Andrea Gilli, and lead Alberto Pimpini -- a squad that blends youth and familiarity. The Gilli brothers arrive with impressive junior pedigree, having won gold at the 2025 World Junior Curling Championships and silver in 2026, while Pimpini steps up from his previous alternate role on Retornaz's team at the Milano Cortina Olympics. Retornaz, who made history as the first Italian skip to win a Grand Slam title at the 2022 Masters and reached world No. 1 after three consecutive Grand Slam wins in 2023-24, looks to rebuild toward the top of the world rankings with his new crew.