Juliana Furtado is an American professional mountain biker, who began her sports career in skiing.
Education
She started skiing at age two, and racing at age 9 after her family moved to Vermont, where Furtado attended the Stratton Mountain School. After undergoing several knee operations, Furtado"s hopes of competing in the Olympics were forced to an end, and she attended University of Colorado Boulder on a skiing scholarship, where she received her Bachelor in Marketing.
Career
While racing for University of Colorado her knee injuries forced her to retire from competitive skiing, and Juliana switched to cycling. She also participated in the Atlanta Olympics. Soon after her Lupus was diagnosed, and again Furtado was forced into early retirement from her sport due to physical conditions.
Her disease is currently under control and she still rides solo.
After retiring, Furtado started a company to design and produce female specific MTB components, such as smaller diameter handlebars and grips, stems, and seats. Her designs were eventually picked up by Santa Cruz Bikes.
At the same time, Santa Cruz Bikes developed the first female specific cross-country aluminum MTB called the "Juliana". Furtado became the director of grass-roots sponsorship and marketing for Santa Cruz Bicycles, in Santa Cruz, California.
In 2013, Furtado developed the concept for turning the single Juliana frame and associated components into a complete line of fully outfitted women"s mountain bikes, which would be a first for Santa Cruz Bikes, which is primarily a frame producer.
The Juliana line has 5 models comprising one of the world"s largest MTB ranges in the industry. In 1998, the book "Rugged Racer" was written about Juliana"s struggles and successes, overcoming injuries in her pursuit of her dream to compete in the Olympics. Despite a short MTB career of 6 years, Juliana held a Guinness World Record for most career 1st place finishes in MTB (male or female), and at that time her career total wins even exceeded the combined total wins of the most successful man (Ned Overend) and next most successful woman.
She became the mother of a son in 2008, and is currently working again with the United States. National ski team, as an advocate for retiring athletes.
Furtado was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1993 and the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2005. Although American by birth, Furtado is of half Portuguese ancestry from her father, Tommy Furtado, whose parents immigrated from São Miguel Island.
Membership
At age 13 she became the youngest member of the United States. National ski team, for which she competed from 1980 to 1987.