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 10th 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. Fontana received six months of probation, according to the person with knowledge of the investigation.
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.
Programs Season Short program Free skating 2005–2006 Blues by C. Brown Turandot by Giacomo Puccini performed by Vanessa-Mae Nessun dorma by Giacomo Puccini 2001–2002 Histoire d'Amour by Carlos Almaran Another Cha Cha by Santa Esmeralda Mexico con Amor Carmen by Georges Bizet 2000–2001 Flamenco by Otmar Liebert Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Boccelli
Results Results International Event1992–93 1993–94 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2005–06 Olympics 10th 22nd Worlds 25th 24th 18th 16th 19th 10th 10th Europeans 22nd 20th 18th 13th 8th 11th 7th GP Cup of Russia 11th 9th 9th GP Lalique 10th 7th GP Skate America 10th GP Skate Canada 7th 5th GP Sparkassen 7th Universiade 3rd Golden Spin of Zagreb 3rd Italian Championships 2nd 1st 1st 3rd 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd
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