From the grace of the fencing piste to the gruelling endurance of ultracycling, Dorina Vaccaroni, once hailed as “The Divine Dodi,” has consistently redefined the limits of athletic pursuit. Her journey is a testament to an indomitable spirit, a relentless drive for challenge, and a unique approach to life itself.
The Fencing Prodigy: A Storm of Glamour and Gold
Even before her 14th birthday, Dorina Vaccaroni was already wielding a foil at the World Championships in Buenos Aires. By 16, she was competing at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, finishing a commendable sixth against competitors old enough to be her mother. It was clear then that she was no ordinary athlete. Beautiful, elegant, and possessing immense talent, Vaccaroni was also known for her boldness, a touch of capriciousness, and an undeniable charm that captivated audiences.
Her distinctive style – a braid escaping her mask, then a chic short cut, adorned with rings, abundant earrings, painted nails, and even plush teddy bears for good luck – brought an unprecedented wave of glamour and femininity to the traditionally staid world of fencing. She wasn`t just competing; she was making a statement. This blend of athletic prowess and striking personality quickly earned her the moniker “Divina Dodi,” gracing magazine covers and even leading to a brief, high-profile marriage with footballer Andrea Manzo.
Over two decades, Vaccaroni dominated the Italian sporting scene, securing triumphs that included an individual world title and an Olympic team gold. Yet, despite this remarkable success, her strong character often made her a “difficult” athlete to manage, as some observed. To this, she simply states, “I`ve always been blunt. I don`t know if that cost me, perhaps a little, but I don`t care: I would never have given up saying things as they are.” Her popularity, she recalls, even bred envy among peers. “Maybe because I was popular. It`s part of life, I never cared much,” she remarks with a characteristic shrug. She remained unswayed by the public eye, perfectly at ease in the spotlight.
The Call of the Open Road: A New Frontier
By the late 1990s, at the age of 30, Vaccaroni made a pivotal decision: she left professional fencing. “Fencing is a fantastic sport, but it wasn`t enough for me. I had fire inside, I couldn`t stand being cooped up in a gym anymore. And everything I wanted to win, I had already won.” Her departure wasn`t an end but a metamorphosis, driven by an insatiable desire for new challenges. This quest led her to an entirely different, arguably more extreme, discipline: ultracycling.
Her passion for ultracycling ignited about 25 years ago, beginning with spinning classes where she swiftly discovered a surprising aerobic aptitude, a stark contrast to the cramps she often experienced during her fencing career. This evolved into traditional cycling, even a couple of seasons with an official team, and participation in Master World Championships. But for Vaccaroni, “a little longer” on the bike meant pushing the very boundaries of human endurance.
Conquering Kilometers: A Marathon of the Soul
Vaccaroni`s ultracycling achievements are nothing short of astounding. Her recent feat at the Ultracycling Dolomitica saw her complete 718 kilometers, traverse 22 mountain passes, and ascend nearly 20,000 meters of elevation in just over 47 hours. “It was tough,” she admits, “I really felt the leg pain at the end. Rain, cold, then heat… But infinite emotions.”
When asked about sleep during such punishing races, her answer is delivered with the understated confidence of a seasoned veteran: “Up to 1000 kilometers, I can resist sleep. And I can stay awake for four nights without sleeping.” This ability to push past conventional human limits is a hallmark of ultracyclists, and Vaccaroni embodies it fully.
Her resume includes four participations in the legendary Race Across America (RAAM), a staggering 5000-kilometer, coast-to-coast odyssey from the Pacific to the Atlantic, featuring over 50,000 meters of elevation gain. She has conquered this monumental challenge twice, describing it as “an incredible race… a journey within yourself, a test of resistance and resilience.” Her next ambitious goal for RAAM 2026 is to complete it in ten days, improving on her personal best of eleven. “I can do it, I believe in myself,” she states.
Despite the immense physical and mental strain, she claims to have “never had critical moments” or retired from a race. On the bike, she feels “good. And at peace with myself.” This deep connection to the act of riding, far from the competitive arena, speaks volumes about her inner peace and conviction. She plans to compete in the 24-hour World Championship in Austria, aiming for 800 kilometers.
Her training regimen is equally intense: she clocks approximately 50,000 kilometers annually, a figure that raises eyebrows among even seasoned cyclists, illustrating the sheer dedication required for her chosen sport. Often, her rides begin at 6 AM and conclude by 4 PM, a full workday on two wheels.
California Dreaming: A Life Unbound
For the past decade, Dorina Vaccaroni has called California home, residing for ten months a year in San Diego, drawn by its favorable climate. Her move across the Atlantic was driven by a sense that “Italy, which I love, felt too small.” She yearned for new opportunities, particularly in coaching. She recounts nurturing talent like Martina Favaretto (a recent World Championship bronze medalist) but facing bureaucratic hurdles in Italy that prevented her from continuing without a specific “magisterial diploma.” This administrative impasse underscored her desire for greater freedom, leading her first to Switzerland and then to California, where she felt “welcomed very well.” This year, she solidified her new roots by acquiring American citizenship while proudly retaining her Italian passport.
Beyond her grueling training, Vaccaroni remains connected to her roots, teaching fencing and working as a mental coach in a San Diego gym. This role undoubtedly leverages the profound mental resilience she has cultivated throughout her life as an elite athlete.
A Philosophy of Freedom and Self-Reliance
Vaccaroni`s journey from fencing icon to ultracycling phenomenon is more than just a shift in sport; it`s a profound declaration of personal autonomy. Her bluntness, her refusal to be constrained by expectations, and her unwavering pursuit of self-actualization have consistently marked her path.
“Children are brought into the world, helped to grow, but then they must fly away alone. I am not a hovering mother.”
This philosophy, which she applies to her adult daughters (Jessica, 38, and Annette, 26, who live independently), echoes her own life choices. Dorina Vaccaroni is a rare individual who, having reached the pinnacle of one demanding sport, possessed the clarity and courage to seek an entirely new peak, finding peace and purpose not in external validation, but in the relentless, solitary pursuit of her own horizon. Her story is a compelling narrative of continuous evolution, proving that a true champion never stops challenging themselves, regardless of the terrain.
