In the annals of Italian sport, few names shimmer with as much multifaceted brilliance as Dorina Vaccaroni. Once hailed as “Divina Dodi,” a fencing prodigy who infused the traditionally staid world of the piste with an unprecedented tempest of glamour and femininity, she now commands respect not with a foil, but with an unyielding spirit on two wheels. This is the narrative of a remarkable athlete`s evolution, from Olympic gold medalist to an ultracycling phenomenon who defies the very concept of limits.
The Fencing Prodigy: A Touch of Sparkle on the Piste
Dorina Vaccaroni`s ascent in fencing was nothing short of meteoric. Before her 14th birthday, she was already gracing the world championships, her foil handled with a grace that belied her tender age. By 16, she was competing at the Moscow 1980 Olympics, securing a respectable sixth place against competitors old enough to be her mother. But it wasn`t just her prodigious talent that captured attention. Vaccaroni was beautiful, elegant, and unapologetically bold—some might even say capricious, though undeniably charming. Her signature look, from braids peeking out of her mask to cropped hair, an abundance of rings and earrings, painted nails, and even good-luck plush teddy bears adorning the strip-side, cemented her image as a true trailblazer. She was a celebrity, gracing magazine covers and even briefly marrying a famous footballer, all while still a teenager. She redefined what it meant to be a female athlete in a sport often perceived as rigid.
A Radical Pivot: From Fencing Halls to Endless Roads
For two decades, Vaccaroni reigned. She claimed individual world titles and Olympic team gold, achieving everything she set out to conquer in fencing. Yet, by her early thirties, the fire that propelled her to success in the confines of a gym began to demand a broader horizon. “Fencing is fantastic,” she recently reflected, “but it wasn`t enough. I had fire inside, couldn`t stand being cooped up in a gym anymore. And everything I wanted to win, I had already won.” This internal drive led to a radical departure: ultracycling.
The transition, which began some 25 years ago, was serendipitous. Ironically, the fencer who often suffered from cramps discovered a latent aerobic prowess during spinning classes. What started as traditional cycling quickly escalated. “I just extended the mileage,” she says with a chuckle, a master of understatement given her current regimen.
The World of Ultracycling: A Journey Within Itself
Today, at 61, Dorina Vaccaroni is an enduring icon of resilience. Her recent feat, the Ultracycling Dolomitica, saw her conquer 718 kilometers, traverse 22 mountain passes, and ascend nearly 20,000 meters in just over 47 hours. It was, by her own admission, “quite tough,” battling rain, cold, and heat. But the emotions, she notes, were “infinite.”
Such extreme events demand extraordinary stamina, both physical and mental. When asked if she ever pauses to sleep during these epic rides, her answer is delivered with a matter-of-fact confidence that borders on the fantastical: “No, generally I can resist sleep for up to 1000 kilometers. And I can stay for four nights without sleeping.” This isn`t just sport; it`s a profound exploration of human limits.
Her most significant challenge is the Race Across America (RAAM), a staggering 5,000-kilometer, coast-to-coast journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic, involving over 50,000 meters of elevation gain across 12 states. She has not only participated four times but has claimed victory twice. She describes RAAM as “an incredible race… a journey within yourself, a test of resistance and resilience.” Her sights are firmly set on her fifth RAAM in June 2026, with an ambitious goal of completing it in ten days, shaving a full day off her personal best of eleven. For Vaccaroni, there are no “critical moments” or thoughts of withdrawal mid-race. “On the bike, I feel good,” she states simply. “And at peace with myself.”
Her annual mileage is equally astounding: approximately 50,000 kilometers. To achieve this, her training schedule is relentless, sometimes involving ten-hour rides from 6 AM to 4 PM. When not on the bike, she`s in San Diego, where she lives for ten months a year, teaching fencing and serving as a mental coach—a natural extension of her own formidable mindset.
A Californian Spirit: Freedom and Independence
A decade ago, Vaccaroni made the decision to relocate to California, initially near San Francisco, then moving south to San Diego for its more favorable climate. Her choice to leave Italy, a country she deeply loves, stemmed from a sense of constraint. She desired to coach fencers but was hampered by bureaucratic requirements she deemed “absurd.” Switzerland offered a brief reprieve, but California provided the welcoming environment she sought. She recently acquired American citizenship, yet proudly retains her Italian passport—a dual identity reflecting her boundless spirit.
Unapologetically Herself: A Legacy of Fortitude
Dorina Vaccaroni has always been direct, unconcerned with how her frankness might be perceived. She openly admits her past reputation as a “difficult” athlete to manage, particularly due to her insistence on personal space and independence. Her former national coach, Attilio Fini, notably granted her the rare privilege of a private room, prioritizing her medal count over team conformity. “The envy of others? Perhaps because I was popular. It`s part of life, I never cared much,” she remarks, a testament to her unwavering self-assurance. Even the pervasive popularity and constant media attention that surrounded “Divina Dodi” never fazed her; she was “perfectly at ease” in the spotlight.
Her philosophy extends to her personal life. She acknowledges her parents and her fencing master, Di Rosa, as instrumental in her victories. Yet, when it comes to her own daughters, Jessica (38) and Annette (26), her approach is equally independent: “Children are brought into the world, helped to grow, but then they must fly away on their own. And that`s what… they did. I am not a `clucking hen` mother.”
From the elegant precision of fencing to the raw, visceral challenge of ultracycling, Dorina Vaccaroni`s journey is a compelling narrative of transformation, tenacity, and the relentless pursuit of self-discovery. She remains a living embodiment of the notion that true victory lies not just in conquering opponents or distances, but in continuously redefining one`s own capabilities and finding profound peace in the process.
Elton Marrow