Quick Facts
Biography
María José Rienda Contreras (born 12 June 1975 in Granada, Spain) is a former World Cup alpine ski racer.
Rienda Contreras has 6 World Cup victories, all in giant slalom. Her victories in 2005 were the first Spanish World Cup victories since Blanca Fernández Ochoa won in December 1991.
María José Rienda Contreras represented Spain at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.
Biography
Her interest for this sport began when her father began to work on the Station of Sierra Nevada already at the age of nine she was possessing her first pair of skis. After some national success, she joined the Spanish national team at age 14. On 25 October 2003 Rienda Contreras scored her first World Cup podium, by coming third in the giant slalom in Sölden, Austria. She scored two more podiums that season and finished third in the giant slalom World Cup that season.
The following season, 2004-2005, began with a new podium, repeating the third position of the previous year in Sölden. Later she scored another third position, now in St. Moritz, Switzerland. On 20 February 2005 Maria Jose Rienda Contreras scored her first World Cup win, in the giant slalom in Åre, Sweden. Later she scored another victory, this time in the giant slalom in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Also this season she finished third in the giant slalom World Cup standings.
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 |