Zardini Lacedelli Steps Up to Skip as Cortina Trio Launches New Italian Rink

After six seasons as one of Italy's most decorated leads, Giulia Zardini Lacedelli is taking the next step in her career, moving into the skip role for the 2026-27 season. The 23-year-old Cortina d'Ampezzo native has assembled a new squad featuring three familiar faces -- third Elena Mathis and second Marta Lo Deserto follow her from the now-disbanded Team Constantini, while Rachele Scalesse joins at lead. The trio carried plenty of highlights out of their time with Constantini, including a European Championship silver medal in 2023 and a fourth-place finish at the 2024 World Women's Championship. Now with Zardini Lacedelli calling the shots, this young Italian rink carries genuine potential -- and the familiarity already in place gives them a head start as they begin building toward the next Olympic cycle on home soil.