In a world often defined by singular achievements, some individuals possess an insatiable drive to transcend their past glories. Dorina Vaccaroni, once hailed as Italy`s “Divina Dodi,” an Olympic fencing champion renowned for her skill and captivating presence, is one such individual. At 61, she has meticulously crafted a new, equally demanding identity: that of an ultracycling phenomenon, effortlessly exchanging the sharp precision of a rapier for the relentless churn of bicycle pedals.
The Fencing Prodigy Who Redefined the Pedana
Vaccaroni’s ascent in the fencing world was nothing short of meteoric. By her early teens, she was already competing on the global stage, participating in the Buenos Aires World Championships before turning 14. At just 16, she represented Italy at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, finishing a commendable sixth against opponents her mother`s age. But her impact extended beyond mere statistics. Dorina introduced an unprecedented blend of elegance and audacious glamour to the sport, transforming the austere fencing strip into her personal runway. With her distinctive braid, later a chic short cut, an abundance of rings and earrings, painted nails, and even plush teddy bears for luck by the piste, she brought a vibrant femininity that captivated audiences and media alike. Her popularity soared, gracing magazine covers and even leading to a brief, high-profile marriage to footballer Andrea Manzo.
Her fencing career culminated in a world individual title and an Olympic team gold. Yet, by her early thirties, after two decades of competitive excellence, the confines of the gym felt increasingly restrictive. “The fire within,” she explained, demanded more. Having conquered all she desired in fencing, she sought new horizons.
From Rapier to Relentless Revolutions: The Ultracycling Imperative
The transition was as surprising as it was profound. Approximately 25 years ago, Vaccaroni discovered ultracycling through a spin class. What began as an exploration of her aerobic capabilities quickly evolved into a consuming passion. While she initially engaged in traditional cycling, even competing in official teams and Master World Championships, her true calling lay in extreme distances. The idea of the “Divina Dodi” enduring multi-day, sleep-deprived cycling marathons might seem a stark contrast to her graceful fencing past, but it underscores a deep-seated need for intense personal challenge.
Her recent endeavors paint a vivid picture of this relentless pursuit. Just weeks ago, she completed the Ultracycling Dolomitica, a brutal 718-kilometer course through 22 mountain passes, accumulating nearly 20,000 meters of elevation gain in a mere 47 hours. “It was tough,” she admitted, “but the emotions were infinite.” When asked about sleep, her response is almost disarming: “Up to 1000 kilometers, I can resist sleep. I can even go four nights without sleeping.” It`s a statement that, for most, defies comprehension and hints at an extraordinary physiology or, more likely, an iron will forged in decades of elite competition.
Conquering Continents: The Race Across America
The pinnacle of her ultracycling achievements includes four participations in the legendary Race Across America (RAAM), a staggering 5,000-kilometer coast-to-coast odyssey from the Pacific to the Atlantic, crossing 12 states with over 50,000 meters of elevation. She has triumphed in RAAM twice, describing it as “an incredible race… a journey into yourself, a test of resistance and resilience.” Her next ambitious goal is set for mid-June 2026: to complete RAAM in just ten days, shaving a full day off her current best of eleven. Her conviction is absolute: “I can do it, I believe in myself.” Remarkably, she claims to never experience critical moments or thoughts of withdrawal during these gruelling events. “On the bike, I feel good,” she states, “and at peace with myself.”
Such feats require colossal dedication. Vaccaroni cycles approximately 50,000 kilometers a year, training for up to ten hours a day. When not on her bike, she continues to inspire, teaching fencing and working as a mental coach in San Diego, California, where she has resided for the past decade. Her move to the U.S. was a pragmatic decision; she found Italy, for all her love, too restrictive for her coaching ambitions, ultimately finding a welcoming environment and even obtaining American citizenship while retaining her Italian passport.
An Unyielding Spirit: Beyond the Medals
Dorina Vaccaroni`s journey is not just a tale of athletic prowess but also of an unwavering, fiercely independent spirit. Her reputation as an “unmanageable” athlete during her fencing days was, in her view, simply a product of her frankness. “I have always been straightforward,” she asserts, dismissing any potential career costs. Her coach, Attilio Fini, notably allowed her the unique privilege of a single room, acknowledging that her unconventional approach ultimately delivered medals. She was unperturbed by the envy her popularity sparked among competitors, seeing it as an inevitable aspect of life. Even the intense media scrutiny of her “Divina Dodi” persona never swayed her; she was “perfectly at ease” in the spotlight.
She attributes her initial successes to her parents and her mentor, Maestro Di Rosa. As for her own daughters, now adults at 38 and 26, she embraces their independence, stating, “Children are brought into the world, helped to grow, but then they must fly away on their own. And that`s what Jessica and Annette have done. I am not a smothering mother.”
A Legacy of Limitless Endurance
Dorina Vaccaroni`s narrative is a compelling testament to the pursuit of self-mastery beyond conventional expectations. She is a woman who achieved peak performance in one discipline, only to seek out an entirely different realm of extreme challenge, where physical endurance and mental fortitude are pushed to their absolute limits. Her journey from the glamorous fencing strip to the solitary, grueling roads of ultracycling is a powerful reminder that true champions are not merely defined by their medals, but by their relentless capacity for reinvention and their unyielding drive to explore the outer reaches of their potential, even if it means pedaling through the night, four nights in a row.
