Olympic Winter Games
Torino 2006
10 February 2006 to 26 February 2006
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The Torino 2006 Winter Olympics
This was the second time Italy had hosted the Winter Olympics, following Cortina d’Amprezzo in 1956. Italy had also hosted the Summer Olympics in Rome in 1960. Turin was a surprising choice for the Games - Sion in Switzerland was favoured, in part because the IOC is based in Switzerland. In fact, Turin won the vote relatively comfortably, 53-36.
Germany headed the medal table with 11 golds and 29 medals in all. The United States was 2nd with 9 golds and 25 medals, followed by Austria and Russia.
Games Key Facts
- Sports
- 15
- Events
- 80
- Competitors
- 2508
- Countries competing
- 84
NZ Team Key Facts
- Athletes
- 18
- Sports
- 5
- Medals won
- 0
- Chef de Mission
- Tomas Huppert
- Opening ceremony flagbearer
- Sean Becker
- Closing ceremony flagbearer
- Sean Becker
Memorable Moments
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Ben Sandford's impressive Olympic debut
After a solid first run, Ben Sandford delivered a sizzling 58.60 on his second, propelling himself into the top 10 in a competitive field of 27
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Alpine Skier Mickey Ross finished 31st out of 97
Mickey Ross showed great determination in the slalom, finishing 31st out of 97. After a challenging first run that included a fall, he bounced back with an impressive 54.50 on his second run.
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Strong showing from 19 year-old Juliane Bray
At just 19, Juliane Bray competed in both the snowboard halfpipe and snowboard cross. After a slow first run in the halfpipe, she bounced back with a strong 32.2, finishing 16th in a field of 34. With only 12 qualifying for the final, she missed out but had hinted at her potential.
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NZ's experienced Men's Curling team
The men’s curling team was an interesting mix of experience and heritage. It featured two homegrown Kiwis, captain Sean Becker and alternate Warren Dobson, alongside three Canadians - Hans Frauenlob, Dan Mustapic, and Lorne De Pape, who had immigrated to New Zealand as adults. The Canadian trio, aged 45 to 50, brought solid amateur curling experience, while Becker, a proud Ranfurly native, carried on his family’s long-standing curling tradition.