Matteo Zanni (born 17 February 1987) is an Italian ice dancing coach and former competitor. With Anna Cappellini, he won four medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series (two gold) and bronze at the 2004 JGP Final.
Competitive career Zanni competed with partner Anna Cappellini from 2001 through 2005. They won the bronze medal at the 2004 Junior Grand Prix final and then placed fifth at the World Junior Championships. In the 2006-07 season, he competed with Camilla Pistorello. They were the 2007 Italian junior national champions. In the 2007-08 season, he competed with Natalia Mityushina. Their partnership ended following that season.
Zanni joined Holiday On Ice and performed as part of the Mystery Tour in South America. In 2011, he coached Olympic champion swimmer Inge de Bruijn during the 4th edition of the Dutch television series Sterren Dansen Op Het IJs and skated with the singer Shaya in Dancing on Ice Greece. He interviewed the Italian rockstar Patty Pravo (Nicoletta Strambelli) in late 2011. In 2013, he joined Feld Entertainment Group to tour the US East Coast and then retired from performing.
Coaching career In 2013, Zanni began coaching alongside his former coach, Barbara Fusar-Poli, in Milan. Three years later, he became an ISU Technical Specialist.
In 2020, Zanni opened his own ice dance skating school in Egna at the Young Goose Academy, where he currently coaches alongside Barbora Řezníčková, Denis Lodola, and Katharina Müller.
His current students include: Olexandra Borysova / Aaron Freeman Darya Grimm / Grigorii Rodin Maria Kazakova / Vladislav Kasinskij Angelina Kudryavtseva / Ilia Karankevich Kateřina Mrázková / Daniel Mrázek Mariia Pinchuk / Mykyta Pogorielov Anna Šimová / Kirill Aksenov Myroslava Tkachenko / Riccardo Pesca Aneta Václavíková / Ivan Morozov
His former students include: Yana Bozhilova / Kaloyan Georgiev Chiara Calderone / Pietro Papetti Sara Campanini / Francesco Riva Darya Grimm / Michail Savitskiy Hanna Jakucs / Alessio Galli Maria Kazakova / Georgy Reviya Elisabetta Leccardi / Mattia Dalla Torre Giada Russo / Jaime Garcia Natálie Taschlerová / Filip Taschler
Additionally, Zanni has also choreographed competitive figure skating programs since his retirement. His clients have included: Sara Conti / Niccolò Macii Sarina Joos Layla Karnes / Kenan Slevira Elisabetta Leccardi Viktoriia Lopusova / Asaf Kazimov Katharina Müller / Tim Dieck
Personal life In his early years, he studied Classical Guitar and Composition. On 18 February 2013, Zanni became a doctor in International Relations at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. He enjoys photography.
Competitive highlights
With Mitiushina International Event 2007–08 World Junior Championships 15th National Italian Championships 2nd J. J. = Junior level
With Pistorello International Event 2006–07 World Junior Championships 8th JGP Hungary 5th JGP Norway 4th National Italian Championships 1st J. JGP = Junior Grand Prix; J. = Junior level
With Cappellini International Event 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 World Junior Champ. 20th 5th WD JGP Final 3rd JGP Germany 6th JGP Hungary 1st JGP Italy 11th JGP Mexico 3rd JGP Serbia 1st JGP Slovenia 3rd EYOF 7th National Italian Champ. 2nd J. 2nd J. 1st J. J. = Junior level; JGP = Junior Grand Prix; WD = Withdrew
Skating programs
With Mitiushina Season Original dance Free dance 2007–2008 Russian gypsy dance: Orvel (soundtrack) 1492: Conquest of Paradise by Vangelis Twenty Eighth Parallel (from 1492: Conquest of Paradise)
With Pistorello Season Original dance Free dance 2006–2007 La cumparsita Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla El Choclo Prayer in the Night Sarabande in D minor by George Frideric Handel Sarabande (modern arrangement) by Maksim Mrvica
With Cappellini Season Original dance Free dance 2004–2005 Let's Face the Music and Dance by Nat King Cole Night and Day by Ella Fitzgerald Peroxide Swing by Michael Bublé Wake Up by Fats Waller La Vie En Rose by Louis Armstrong Entr' Act by Fats Waller 2003–2004 Jive: Hit the Road Jack Blues: Why Don't You Do Right? (from Who Framed Roger Rabbit) Jive Come Antes, Come Nunca, Come Siempre Poeta en el Viento by Vicente Amigo 2002–2003 Waltz and Galop: Overture from Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninoff
References
External links