Courtesy of Speedo, a SwimSwam partner.
Speedo, the world’s leading swimwear brand, has today signed 16-year-old World, European and Junior record holder and swimming sensation Benedetta Pilato represented by sports management agency LGS SportLab.
Pilato, who broke the 50m breaststroke world record with a time of 29.30 seconds at the European Championships back in May, opted for Speedo after an extensive year-long testing process.
Supported by her team, Pilato tested everything from the fit of the suits to lactate analysis using a variety of video analysis techniques.
And right in Budapest, wearing Speedo’s Fastskin LZR Pure Valor, she swam three of the fastest 50m breaststroke times in history, including the world record previously held by Lilly King, making Pilato the youngest world record holder in Italian swimming history.
Speaking of the deal, Benedetta said: “Getting the right suit to help me compete at the highest level was more important than anything else, so I am really excited to join the super iconic brand Speedo.
“We are amazingly fast together. I am excited to see what our partnership can bring in the future!”
Benedetta’s coach Vito D’Onghia said: “A few hundredths of a second can make all the difference and therefore we didn’t want to leave anything to chance. Especially when you are racing in speed competitions, a suit becomes really fundamental.
“I did not want to personally be the judge of this study. We relied on scientific data, unequivocal numbers that certified us how fast Benedetta could swim with one suit or another under the same conditions. She gets an extraordinary result in Budapest wearing Speedo”.
Sean Kavanagh, Global Director of Sports Marketing & Sponsorship at Speedo, said: “Benedetta has been making waves since she stepped onto the international stage in 2018 and is a prodigious talent with a ferocious appetite for success which is matched by her professionalism, dedication and determination to be the best in the world.
“At only 16 years old she’s the current world, European and junior record holder in the 50m breast stroke, an incredible feat at such a young age. We are delighted to bring such an exciting talent to Team Speedo as we continue to partner with the world’s best and most influential athletes. Benedetta’s journey to the blocks has just begun and we can’t wait to see what the future holds as she continues to break down records in the latest Fastskin products starting this summer.”
Lorenza Guerra Seragnoli. LGS SportLab Founder, said: “Benedetta is not only an extraordinary talent. She works very hard in general.
“She really deserves every single result and we are very proud to work with her. Anyway the best is yet to come and It is a real pleasure to have a leading brand as Speedo on board in this amazing journey.”
ABOUT SPEEDO
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs, and innovations, and supports swimming from grassroots through to the elite level. In the 1920s, Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefined swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER® – the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created. 2011 saw Speedo unveil another world first with the Fastskin Racing System – a cap, goggle, and suit designed to work together as one. Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world. To find out more visit: www.speedo.com.