Carolina Kostner was born on February 8, 1987 in Bolzano, Italy. She began skating at the age of four and made her senior debut in 2002 when she finished 4th at the European Championships. In 2003, she became the first Italian skater to medal at the Junior World Championships when she won the bronze. She won her first European medal in 2006 and was chosen to be the flag-bearer at the 2006 Winter Olympic games where she ended up 9th overall. She won the national title in 2007 and won her first European title later that season. Kostner won her first World medal in 2008 when she won the silver medal. She currently trains with Frank Carroll in California.