Fulvio Valbusa’s career in the World Cup began in 1992 in the 30 km classical technique with a 36th place. He made his first podium (third) in January 1996 in the relay and recorded his first win in February of the same year in the team sprint. Individually he made his first podium (second) in February 1996 in the 10 km freestyle and his first win was in December 1997 in the 15 km freestyle. His best World Cup season was 1996-97, when he finished third in the overall standings and second in the sprint. In total he had 23 World Cup podiums (12 individual, 11 team), in addition to those achieved at Olympics or World Championships which are also results valid for the World Cup, including five wins (two individual, three team). During his career Valbusa participated in five Winter Olympics from 1992-2006 winning one gold and silver medal in the relay. He also competed in seven World Championships, winning five medals. Individually he took a silver medal in the 15 km in 2005 and a bronze in the pursuit in 1999, with three relay bronze medals in 1995, 1997 and 1999. At the Italian Championships Valbusa won 11 individual titles over distances between 10 and 30 km and had another nine podiums.
After his retirement from active racing, Valbusa became an officer of the State Forestry Corps, helped his wife manage the family restaurant in their home town of Bosco Chiesanuova, and occasionally drove in rally races. His younger sister Sabina Valbusa was also a cross-country skier and Olympic bronze medalist. In the 2007 regional elections, Fulvio Valbusa was the leading candidate from the right wing National Alliance in Verona, while in 2006, he was appointed Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Italy