Danielle Montalbano (Hebrew: דניאל מונטלבאנו; born January 23, 1989) is an American-born former figure skater, actress who competed for Israel. As a single skater, she is the 2014 Israeli national champion and 2014 Toruń Cup silver medalist. From 2009 to 2012, Montalbano competed in pair skating with partner Evgeni Krasnopolski. They medaled at four international events, including at the Golden Spin of Zagreb and Ice Challenge.

Danielle Montalbano-Brezina
Montalbano at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy
Full nameDanielle Leah (Montalbano) Brezina
Born (1989-01-23) January 23, 1989 (age 35)
North Hempstead, New York
Height1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
Figure skating career
CountryIsrael
Skating clubKiryat Shmona
Began skating1993
RetiredSeptember 10, 2015

Personal life edit

Danielle Montalbano was born on January 23, 1989, in Manhasset, New York.[1] On May 19, 2015, it was announced that she was engaged to boyfriend and figure skater, Michal Brezina.[2] Danielle and Michal married on June 10, 2017, at The Royalton with family and friends.

Career edit

In 2009, Montalbano teamed up with Evgeni Krasnopolski to compete in pairs. She dislocated her shoulder in practice at the 2011 European Championships, resulting in the pair withdrawing from the event.[3] She broke her ankle in November 2012 while practicing a twist lift – leading to two surgeries, seven screws and a plate – and began rehab after six months.[4] Montalbano and Krasnopolski were coached by Kyoko Ina.[5] Their partnership ended in 2013.

In 2013, Montalbano began competing in ladies' singles.[4] The screws and plate were removed from her ankle following the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy.[6] She won the 2014 Israeli national title and silver at the Toruń Cup. Montalbano was assigned to the 2014 European Championships, where she placed 35th. She then went to Ellenton, Florida, to train with a partner but broke her patella, putting her in a cast for a month.[6] She teamed up with German pair skater Konrad Hocker-Scholler after a tryout in Oberstdorf.[6]

Montalbano announced her retirement from competitive figure skating on September 10, 2015.[7]

Feature films edit

Acting credits

Year Title Role Notes
2019 Broken Hearted Figure Skater


Programs edit

Single skating edit

Season Short program Free skating
2013–2014
[1]

Pair skating edit

Season Short program Free skating
2012–2013
[3]
2011–2012
[8]
2010–2011
[9]
  • James Bond theme
2009–2010
[10]
  • Nyah
    (from Mission: Impossible)
    by Hans Zimmer

Competitive highlights edit

 
Montalbano with Krasnapolski in 2012

Single skating edit

International[11]
Event 2013–14
European Championships 35th
Nebelhorn Trophy 27th
Dragon Trophy 14th
Golden Spin of Zagreb 19th
Hellmut Seibt Memorial 13th
New Year's Cup 4th
Toruń Cup 2nd
National
Israeli Championships 1st

Pair skating with Krasnopolski edit

GP: Grand Prix

International[12]
Event 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13
World Champ. 25th 20th 17th
European Champ. 18th WD 11th
GP Skate America 7th
Cup of Nice 11th
Golden Spin 4th 6th 3rd
Ice Challenge 7th 3rd 3rd
Nebelhorn Trophy 9th 6th
Toruń Cup 2nd
U.S. Classic 6th
WD = Withdrew


References edit

  1. ^ a b "Danielle MONTALBANO: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 22, 2014.
  2. ^ Brezina, Michal. "Brezina announces engagement". Facebook. Facebook. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Jangbro, Maria; Halonen, Lena (October 30, 2013). "Danielle Montalbano: "I would have been here either way, if it were pairs or singles"". Absolute Skating.
  5. ^ Halonen, Lena; Jangbro, Eva Maria (December 5, 2011). "Kyoko Ina: "I don't think anyone ever really commits to coaching, it just sort of happens."". Absolute Skating. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c Jangbro, Eva Maria (October 22, 2014). "The timing is right for Danielle Montalbano and Konrad Hocker-Scholler". Absolute Skating.
  7. ^ Danielle Montalbano (September 10, 2015). "Every great story must come to an end" (Facebook).
  8. ^ "Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012.
  9. ^ "Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011.
  10. ^ "Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010.
  11. ^ "Competition Results: Danielle MONTALBANO". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014.
  12. ^ "Competition Results: Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013.

External links edit

  Media related to Danielle Montalbano at Wikimedia Commons