Federica Pellegrini secured her spot at yet another World Championships after a win in the 100 free at the Italian National Championships in Riccione, while Nicolo Martinenghi continued his strong week with a 100 breast victory and another World Junior Record.
The session began with Silivia Di Pietro capturing the women’s 50 fly national title in 26.03, a quarter-second off her national record of 25.78 set in 2014. Elena Gemo missed the FINA “A” cut of 26.49, but she managed to touch second in 26.54, just ahead of Elena Di Liddo (26.56).
Piero Codia held off Matteo Rivolta to win the men’s 100 fly, 51.92 to 52.12, but both eclipsed the FINA “A” time of 52.29. Third went to Giacomo Carini in 52.29.
Giulia Verona slipped inside the FINA “A” time in the women’s 200 breast. Needing to hit the wall in 2:25.91 or better, she came in in 2:25.81. It was a dominant, wire-to-wire victory, as Ilaria Scarcella finished second in 2:28.77, and Giula De Ascentis grabbed third in 2:29.09.
Federico Turrini was dominant in the men’s 400 IM final, finishing in a time of 4:13.52. Finishing second was Giorgio Gaetani in 4:17.85, just under the FINA “A” cut of 4:17.90. Pier Andrea Matteazzi came in third in 4:20.88.
The top three finishers all beat out the requisite time in the women’s 800 free, but it was Simona Quadarella pulling away from the field and winning easily in 8:25.08. Martina Rita Caramingnoli finished six seconds back in 8:32.16, and Giulia Gabbrielleschi finished third in 8:32.48.
Martinenghi won men’s 100 breast in 59.46 to take down Wang Lizhuo’s World Junior Record of 59.64 set just over one year earlier at China’s National Championships. Martinenghi just missed breaking the Italian record in the event as well, as he was just short of Fabio Scozolli’s national mark of 59.42.
Fabio Scozolli joined Martinenghi under the FINA “A” time standard in the 100 breast, finishing in 1:00.12, and he, too, qualified for Budapest. Andrea Toniato finished third in the race in 1:00.96.
And then in the final individual race of the day, Pellegrini came from behind to win the 100 free. Fourth at the halfway point, she motored home to a final time of 53.92, just ahead of Di Pietro’s 54.11. Erika Ferraioli (55.30) and Aglaia Pezzato (55.37) finished third and fourth, respectively, and they should be included on Italy’s 400 free relay in Budapest.
