1. Overview
Stefania Berton (born July 19, 1990) is an Italian competitive pair skater who achieved significant success with her partner Ondřej Hotárek. Together, they became the 2013 European bronze medalist and the 2013 Skate Canada International champion, marking the first time an Italian pair had won medals at both the European Championships and a Grand Prix event, as well as their first Grand Prix title. They are also three-time Italian national champions. Berton previously competed as a single skater and an ice dancer.
2. Personal life
Stefania Berton was born on July 19, 1990, in Asiago, Italy. In January 2012, she joined the sports group of the Italian police. On February 2, 2013, she became engaged to American pair skater Rockne Brubaker. The couple married on June 5, 2015, in Wisconsin.
3. Career
Stefania Berton's competitive journey in figure skating spanned multiple disciplines, beginning with single skating and ice dance before transitioning to a highly successful career in pair skating.
3.1. Early Career (Single and Ice Dance)
Berton began her competitive career as a single skater. In her junior career, she participated in the ISU Junior Grand Prix series starting in 2004. She achieved notable success, including placing 6th at the 2006 Junior Grand Prix Final. Domestically, she earned a silver medal at the 2007 Italian Nationals as a single skater. She continued to compete at a high level, making her debut at the 2008 European Figure Skating Championships and subsequently the 2009 European Figure Skating Championships. In 2008, she secured her first international victory at the Crystal Skate of Romania. In addition to single skating, Berton also competed at the novice level in ice dance with Marco Fabbri, achieving good results at the Italian Championships. Following the 2008-09 season, she transitioned to pair skating.
3.2. Partnership with Ondřej Hotárek
Berton formed a pair skating partnership with Ondřej Hotárek in early 2009. This partnership marked a significant turning point in her career, leading to numerous historical achievements for Italian figure skating.
3.2.1. 2009-10 Season
The 2009-10 season marked the debut of the Berton/Hotárek partnership. They quickly established themselves, earning a silver medal at the 2010 Italian Nationals. Their strong performance led to their selection for the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships, where they made their debut and placed 11th. At the NRW Trophy, they secured a silver medal.

3.2.2. 2010-11 Season
During the 2010-11 season, Berton/Hotárek continued their ascent. They won a silver medal at the 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy and made their debut on the Grand Prix circuit, finishing sixth at the 2010 Cup of Russia. They clinched their first Italian national title and subsequently competed at the 2011 European Figure Skating Championships, where they placed fourth in the short program and fifth in the free program, setting personal bests in both and finishing fifth overall with a combined total of 164.83 points. They also secured a gold medal at the NRW Trophy.
3.2.3. 2011-12 Season
The 2011-12 season saw Berton/Hotárek continue to break new ground. They started by winning a silver medal at the 2011 Ondrej Nepela Memorial. On the Grand Prix circuit, they placed 4th at the 2011 NHK Trophy and then made history by winning a bronze medal at the 2011 Rostelecom Cup, becoming the first Italian pair to medal on the Grand Prix circuit. At the 2012 European Figure Skating Championships, despite Hotárek's less than optimal physical condition, they achieved a then-historical 4th place, marking the highest Italian result in pairs at the event. They also earned a gold medal at the International Cup of Nice.

3.2.4. 2012-13 Season
The 2012-13 season was particularly historic for Berton/Hotárek. They were assigned to two Grand Prix events, the 2012 Skate Canada International and the 2012 Trophée Eric Bompard, where they secured bronze medals at both competitions. This strong performance carried over to the 2013 European Figure Skating Championships in Zagreb, where they won a bronze medal, becoming the first Italian pair skaters to ever medal at the European Championships. They also claimed another Italian national title.
3.2.5. 2013-14 Season
Berton/Hotárek continued their success into the 2013-14 season. They finished 5th at 2013 Skate America and then made history again by winning their first Grand Prix title at the 2013 Skate Canada International, marking the first time an Italian pair had won a Grand Prix event. At the 2014 European Figure Skating Championships, they placed 4th. They represented Italy at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. In the team event, they scored over 70 points in the short program, contributing to Italy's 4th place finish. In the individual pairs event, they finished 11th overall due to errors on their jumps. This season also saw them win gold at the Lombardia Trophy and Merano Cup.
3.2.6. Partnership Dissolution
After a highly successful partnership, it was reported on July 2, 2014, that Stefania Berton and Ondřej Hotárek had ended their partnership. Berton later stated in August 2014 that she had not wanted to split from Hotárek and was actively seeking a new partner to continue her competitive career. In the season off, she performed in ice shows with her fiancé, Rockne Brubaker.
3.3. Post-Competitive Career
Following the conclusion of her competitive skating career, Stefania Berton remained involved in the sport. In 2015, she and her husband, Rockne Brubaker, were appointed as the skating directors at the Leaf Centre.
4. Programs
Stefania Berton performed a variety of programs throughout her distinguished career, characterized by diverse musical selections and choreographic interpretations.
4.1. Pair Skating Programs
Berton and Hotárek's pair skating programs featured a blend of dramatic and evocative music.
Season | Short program | Free skating | Exhibition |
---|---|---|---|
2013-2014 |
by Randy Edelman |
by Philip Glass |
by Giacomo Puccini / Luciano Pavarotti |
2012-2013 |
by The Rolling Stones |
by Vicente Amigo |
(soundtrack) |
2011-2012 |
by Earle Hagen, Dick Rogers
by Willy DeVille |
by Remo Giazotto, Tomaso Albinoni |
by Lucio Dalla, Luciano Pavarotti |
2010-2011 |
by Ástor Piazzolla |
by Nino Rota |
by The Righteous Brothers |
2009-2010 |
by Buonvino |
(1999 TV movie) |
by Nino Rota |
4.2. Single Skating Programs
During her career as a single skater, Stefania Berton chose a range of musical pieces for her short and free programs.
Season | Short program | Free skating |
---|---|---|
2008-2009 |
by Jacob Gade |
by Carl Davis |
2007-2008 |
by Roger Waters |
by Yann Tiersen |
2006-2007 |
by Fritz Kreisler |
by Ryuichi Sakamoto |
5. Competitive Highlights
Stefania Berton's competitive career saw her achieve significant results in both single skating and, most notably, in pair skating with Ondřej Hotárek.
5.1. Pair Skating Results
International | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Event | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 |
Olympics | 11th | ||||
Worlds | 11th | 10th | 11th | 10th | 9th |
Europeans | 5th | 4th | 3rd | 4th | |
Team Trophy | 5th T | ||||
GP Bompard | 3rd | ||||
GP NHK Trophy | 4th | ||||
GP Rostelecom | 6th | 3rd | |||
GP Skate America | 5th | ||||
GP Skate Canada | 3rd | 1st | |||
Cup of Nice | 1st | ||||
Ice Challenge | 3rd | ||||
Lombardia Trophy | 1st | ||||
Merano Cup | 1st | ||||
Nebelhorn Trophy | 2nd | ||||
NRW Trophy | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | ||
Ondrej Nepela | 2nd | 2nd | |||
National | |||||
Event | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 |
Italian Champ. | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
Team events | |||||
Event | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 |
Olympics | 4th T |
5.1.1. Detailed Pair Skating Results
5.2. Single Skating Results
As a single skater, Stefania Berton competed in various international and national events, particularly during her junior career.
International | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Event | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 |
European Champ. | 13th | 16th | |||
Crystal Skate | 1st | ||||
Cup of Nice | 3rd | ||||
Triglav Trophy | 5th J | ||||
International: Junior | |||||
Event | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 |
World Junior Champ. | 10th | 13th | |||
JGP Final | 6th | ||||
JGP Bulgaria | 6th | ||||
JGP Croatia | 12th | ||||
JGP Czech Republic | 3rd | ||||
JGP Estonia | 9th | ||||
JGP France | 12th | 3rd | 4th | ||
JGP Norway | 2nd | ||||
JGP Romania | 17th | ||||
JGP United Kingdom | 7th | ||||
Gardena Trophy | 5th J. | ||||
National | |||||
Event | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 |
Italian Champ. | 1st J | 4th | 2nd | 2nd | 3rd |
Merano Cup | 1st J |