Sara Curtis Dials Up Italian Record in 100 Freestyle; Takes Down Federica Pellegrini’s 2016 Standard
Based on her impressive efforts on the junior scene, there has been considerable hope surrounding Sara Curtis as a future star in the pool for Italy. That potential was on display on Tuesday, the third day of the Italian Championships in Riccione. Coming off a sub-54 effort during the prelims, Curtis blasted a national record during the final, going 53.01 to better the previous record of 53.18, set by Federica Pellegrini back in 2016.
Over the past few years, Curtis has established herself as a rising star, thanks to strong performances at the European Juniors and World Juniors. She now appears ready to take on the world’s best at the senior circuit, with the 100 freestyle a prime indicator. In her national-record swim, Curtis was out in 25.16 and came home in 27.85. Her victory in the 100 free complemented a win in the 50 backstroke earlier in the meet.
Curtis still has the 50 freestyle ahead at the Italian Championships and, given her performances so far this week, another top time appears on the horizon. Curtis owns a personal best of 24.56 in the 50 freestyle, a mark set at last year’s Italian Champs.
A sensational duel unfolded in the women’s 200 individual, where Sara Franceschi clipped Anita Gastaldi. Franceschi stopped the clock in 2:10.95, just .02 faster than the 2:10.97 recorded by Gastaldi. Gastaldi held a .14 margin at the 150-meter turn, but Franceschi had just enough to pull ahead on the freestyle leg, a split of 31.57 capping her win. Gastaldi covered the freestyle leg in 31.73.
On the men’s side, Alberto Razzetti was the victor of the 200 IM, behind a time of 1:58.05. Razzetti was followed in 1:58.95 by Christian Mantegazza. Razzetti has a proven track record on the international stage, and the veteran is likely to be faster when summer action heats up with the World Championships. Razzetti was the bronze medalist in the 200 IM at the 2024 World Championships and has medaled in the event twice at the European Championships. At last summer’s Olympic Games, he was sixth in the 200 IM.
Italian distance queen Simona Quadarella, earlier the winner of the 800 freestyle, added the 1500 free title to her collection. Quadarella went 16:03.77 and at the World Champs in Singapore will look to add to her haul of four medals from the 1500 free at the global showcase.
Manuel Frigo was crowned champion in the men’s 100 freestyle, thanks to a swim of 48.34. That showing gave Frigo a comfortable margin over Carlos D’Ambrosio, who was timed in 48.60. Lorenzo Zazzeri followed in 48.62 for third place while Italian record-holder Alessandro Miressi was fourth in 48.74.
Seven athletes went under eight minutes in the men’s 800 freestyle, just more than three seconds separating first place and seventh. The titlist was Davide Marchello, who narrowly clipped Luca De Tullio at the wall. Marchello touched in 7:53.32, with De Tullio only .07 behind. De Tullio held the lead with a length to go, but Marchello closed with a split of 26.97, compared to the 27.91 of De Tullio. Third place went to Gabriele Detti in 7:54.64.