Federica Pellegrini Drops Italian Record in 200 Backstroke; Mizzau Impresses in 200 Free

On Friday at an Italian Grand Prix meet, Federica Pellegrini continued to excel in the backstroke events, taking down the National Record in the 200 short course meters race.

Pellegrini, who is the fastest woman ever over 200 meters, began to take this race more seriously last year, and on Friday was a 2:03.25. That bumps her up to 8th in the World Rankings, and breaks the 2:04.55 that Alessia Filippi did in 2009 in a polyurethane suit.

“I did not expect to set the record at this time in the season, though I’ve chased it for a while,” Pellegrini said after her swim. “With the backstroke, I feel more at ease. The record makes me very happy, even though I am aware that for an international medal, it takes a more competitive time. I will continue to train the backstroke, because it also helps me in freestyle.”

Pellegrini also confirmed her intent to train for the Rio de Janiero Olympics in 2016. Her previous best in the 200 back in short course was a 2:05.71 from April of this year.

Other noteworthy times from the meet’s first two sessions includes a 22.93 in the 50 fly from Ukrainian Andrey Govorov, which just misses his best time of the season.

Italy’s own Alice Mizzau won the 200 free, in Pellegrini’s absence, with a 1:56.69, which is the second-best time in Italian history.

Lisa Fissneider just missed her lifetime best with a 1:06.54 for 2nd, and Ilaria Bianchi won the 100 fly in 56.80.

More results available in the press release here.