ABSOLUTE ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (ITA)
- March 31 – April 3, 2021
- Prelims at 9am local/Finals at 4:30pm local
- Riccione – Swimming Stadium
- Qualification Standards
- Meet Site
- Start Lists
- Live Results
Day one prelims ran this morning in Riccione for the 2021 Absolute Italian Championships, which is the last major qualifier for the 2021 Italian Olympic roster. After this week, though, some swimmers may be added based on their performances at the Sette Colli Trophy in a couple of months. Read our full preview here.
In the men’s 50 free, Lorenzo Zazzeri broke 22 seconds this morning, posting a 21.94 to touch ahead of Alessandro Miressi (22.26) and Leonardo Deplano (22.27). That’s Zazzeri’s first time under 22 seconds, ever. Fourth was Santo Condorelli at 22.34, with veteran sprinter Luca Dotto fifth at 22.40.
Zazzeri is now eighth in the world rankings this year. His time qualifies him for the European Championships, but he’ll need to hit a 21.79 or better in finals to get onto the Olympic team.
2020-2021 LCM Men 50 Free
Dressel
21.04
| 2 | Vlad Morozov | RUS | 21.41 | 04/09 |
| 3 | Ben Proud | GBR | 21.42 | 04/17 |
| 4 | Michael Andrew | USA | 21.48 | 06/20 |
| 5 | Florent Manaudou | FRA | 21.53 | 07/31 |
| 6 | Bruno Fratus | BRA | 21.57 | 08/01 |
| 7 | Thom de Boer | NED | 21.58 | 07/03 |
| 8 | Kristian Gkolomeev | GRE | 21.60 | 05/22 |
| 9 | Ari-Pekka Likkonen | FIN | 21.61 | 05/23 |
| 10 | Ryan Held | USA | 21.62 | 04/10 |
Gabriele Detti was the first to the wall of four men at 3:50 in the men’s 400 free, going 3:50.03. Geremia Freri was second in 3:50.06, dropping over three seconds from his old best, ahead of Matteo Ciampi (3:50.91) and Marco De Tullio (3:50.98). Ciampi’s 3:47.57 from the Italian Open Championships in December is still the #6 time in the world this season.
Simona Quadarella and Martina Caramignoli both broke 4:10 this morning in the women’s 400 free, swimming respective times of 4:09.58 and 4:09.73. Quadarella was about six seconds off of her best, while Caramignoli was only a second off.
Youth prevailed in the women’s 50 free, as 19-year-old Costanza Cocconcelli led the way at 25.15 to tie the meet record. She edged out Italian record-holder Silvia Di Pietro (25.18) and veteran Federica Pellegrini (25.21).
Margherita Panziera was the fastest qualifer into the 200 back A-final, swimming to a 2:10.33 that was three seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Panziera holds the Italian record (2:05.72). Martina Cenci was second (2:13.04) and Italian junior record-holder Erika Gaetani third (2:13.21).
OTHER TOP FINISHES
- Pietro Sarpe led the 400 IM prelims on the men’s side, going 4:21.56 to take a tenth off of his old best. Second was Pier Andrea Matteazzi, posting a 4:21.72, who should be much quicker tonight based on his lifetime best 4:15.03 from last August.
- In the men’s 200 breast, Andrea Castello took the top time at 2:13.30, just ahead of veteran Edoardo Giorgetti (2:13.58).
- Sara Franceschi hit the wall first in the women’s 400 IM prelims, going 4:44.63 ahead of Ilaria Cusinato‘s 4:46.93.