María José Rienda facts for kids
| Alpine skier | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Disciplines | Technical events | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 29 June 1975 Granada, Spain |
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| World Cup debut | 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympics | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medals | 6th Giant slalom (2002) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Championships | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medals | 9th Giant slalom (1997, 2005) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seasons | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Podiums | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discipline titles | 2nd Giant slalom (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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María José Rienda Contreras (born 29 June 1975) is a famous former alpine ski racer from Spain. She was very good at a type of skiing called giant slalom.
After her successful skiing career, she took on an important role in the Spanish government. From June 2018 to January 2020, she served as the Secretary of State for Sports in Spain. This meant she helped manage sports for the entire country.
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María José Rienda's Skiing Journey
María José Rienda Contreras has won 6 World Cup races. All of these victories were in the giant slalom event. Her wins in 2005 were very special. They were the first World Cup victories for a Spanish skier since Blanca Fernández Ochoa won in 1991.
María José represented Spain in five Winter Olympics. She showed great skill and dedication in these major international competitions.
Early Start in Skiing
María José's interest in skiing began when she was very young. Her father started working at the Sierra Nevada ski station. By the age of nine, she already had her first pair of skis.
She quickly became very good at the sport. After achieving some success in national competitions, she joined the Spanish national team when she was just 14 years old.
First Big Wins
On October 25, 2003, Rienda Contreras achieved her first "podium" finish in a World Cup race. This means she placed in the top three. She came third in the giant slalom event in Sölden, Austria. That season, she earned two more podium finishes. She ended up finishing third overall in the giant slalom World Cup standings for that year.
The next season, 2004–2005, started with another podium finish. She repeated her third-place position in Sölden. Later, she scored another third place, this time in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Historic World Cup Victories
On February 20, 2005, María José Rienda Contreras achieved her first World Cup win! This victory was in the giant slalom race in Åre, Sweden. This was a huge moment for her and for Spanish skiing.
She didn't stop there. Later that same season, she won another race. This time, it was the giant slalom in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. She finished third in the giant slalom World Cup standings for the 2004-2005 season.
Life After Competition
After she stopped competing as a professional skier, María José became involved in sports management. In June 2018, the Spanish government appointed her as the Secretary of State for Sports. This important role allowed her to continue contributing to the world of sports, but now from a leadership position.
World Cup Victories
Here is a list of María José Rienda Contreras's World Cup victories:
| Date | Location | Country | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 February 2005 | Åre |  Sweden |
Giant slalom |
| 13 March 2005 | Lenzerheide |  Switzerland |
Giant slalom |
| 10 December 2005 | Aspen |  United States |
Giant slalom |
| 3 February 2006 | Ofterschwang |  Germany |
Giant slalom |
| 4 February 2006 | Ofterschwang | Germany |
Giant slalom |
| 5 March 2006 | Hafjell |  Norway |
Giant slalom |
See also
In Spanish: María José Rienda para niños
