The 2016 Italian Spring National Championships and Olympic Trials kicked off today and the first finals session began in record fashion thanks to Simone Sabbioni.
Men’s 100 Back Final
Simone Sabbioni won the first event of the night in new National Record time. Sabbioni’s old record stood at 53.37, set in December. Tonight, he stopped the clock at 53.34, also under the Italian A cut of 53.40. That time registers as the tenth fastest time in the world this year. Christopher Ciccarese placed second in 54.63 and Michele Malerba was third with a 54.85.
Women’s 100 Back Final
Carlotta Zofkova beat national record holder Elena Gemo for the title as the two finished in 1:00.91 and 1:01.05, off of Gemo’s 1:00.22 record. Margherita Panziera touched third in 1:01.12. Nobody was under the 59.80 Italian A cut.
Men’s 50 Breast Final
National record holder Andrea Toniato finished in 27.53, short of his own 27.06 swum in August. That swim is just off his world’s seventh best time of 27.51 from prelims.
Women’s 400 Freestyle Final
Alice Mizzau posted the world’s 16th fastest time to take home the title tonight. She finished in 4:07.26, to win the event by just over a second. Carli Diletta touched second in 4:08.66. Neither hit the Italian A cut of 4:05.50. Third place went to Martina de Memme earned bronze in 4:09.86.
Men’s 1500 Freestyle Final
National record holder Gregorio Paltrinieri won by nearly four seconds in 14:42.91. That is the third fastest time in the world, as Paltrinieri already holds the second best. Runner up Gabriele Detti finished in 14:46.48, also well under the Italian A cut of 14:57.00, and good enough for third in the world. Domenico Acerenza was the third place finisher in 15:08.55.
Women’s 200 Fly Final
Stefania Pirozzi led the way in 2:08.98 and Alessia Polieri followed in 2:09.16. Ilaria Cusinato earned bronze in 2:10.98. The Italian A cut was a 2:07.30.
Men’s 100 Freestyle Final
Luca Dotto won the event in 48.40, one tenth from the Italian A cut of 48.30. Luca Leonardi placed second in 49.04 and Filippo Magnini rounded out the podium in 49.31.
Women’s 400 Freestyle Relay Final
The team of Miriana During, Rachele Cerracchi, Federica Pellegrini and Margherita Panziera brought home gold in 3:41.59. Army Sports Center’s Laura Letrari, Giorgi Biondani, Alice Nesti, and Erika Ferraioli were just behind in 3:41.73 for second place.
