RICCIONE, Italy, March 6. THE initial day of action kicked off in Riccione with the Italian Long Course Nationals being held this week.
Federica Pellegrini cruised to victory in the women's 400 free with a 4:05.70, moving into the top five in the world with the swim. She swam largely alone as Alessia Filippi placed second in 4:11.67. Alice Nesti snared third overall in 4:11.71.
Filippo Magnini claimed the men's 100 free title in 48.99, snagging sixth in the world rankings in the process. Michele Santucci took second in 49.14 to tie for eighth, while Marco Orsi placed third in 49.31. Luca Dotto snagged fourth in the race with a 49.41.
Mirco Di Tora captured the men's 100 back in 54.27, jumping into the top 10 with the effort. Niccolo Bonacchi lowered an Italian junior record with a second-place 54.94, while Sebastiano Ranfagni took third in 55.04. Elena Gemo followed with a 1:01.21 to win the women's 100 back. Arianna Barbieri finished second in 1:01.26, while Carlotta Zofkova picked up third in 1:01.38.
Fabio Scozzoli touched out Mattia Pesce, 27.83 to 27.87, in the men's 50 breast as the duo moved to second and third in the world behind Glenn Snyders' 27.68 from last month. Nicolo Ossola held off Andrea Toniato, 27.97 to 27.99, for third. Prior to today, only Snyders and Scozzoli had cleared 28 seconds this year.
Gregorio Paltrinieri won the men's 800 free in an Italian junior record of 7:51.97, moving to the top of the world rankings. Tae Hwan Park had owned the previous best with a 7:53.33 from last month. Rocco Potenza took second in 7:58.04 for third overall in the rankings, while Gabriele Detti touched third in 8:00.48.
Alessia Polieri won the women's 200 fly in 2:10.39, while Silvia Meschiari took second in 2:11.65. Emanuela Albenzi turned in a third-place time of 2:12.20.