PESCARA, Italy, May 26. DURING the first night of action at the Italian Long Course Championships, a pair of national records were rewritten.
Samuel Pizzetti shot down Federico Colbertaldo's Italian record in the men's 800 free when he posted a 7:48.13. That performance cleared Colbertaldo's 2007 mark of 7:49.98. Colbertaldo had the best seat in the house as he finished second in the race with a 7:53.02. Andrea Busato completed the top three in 7:55.77.
Caterina Giacchetti posted an Italian record of her own with a 2:06.50 in the women's 200 fly. That readout crushed Francesca Segat's 2006 standard of 2:08.53. Once again, the record-holder finished second to the record-breaking performance as Segat took silver with a 2:09.24. Paola Cavallino wound up third in 2:09.92.
In other finals action, Alessia Filippi won the women's 1500 free in 16:17.05, while Martina Caramignoli took second in 16:37.30. Martina Grimaldi touched third in 16:38.50.
Roberta Panara snatched the women's 50 breast title in 31.29 with Martina Carraro (31.72) and Ombretta Plos (31.82) taking second and third. For the men, Alessandro Terrin posted a 27.54 for the win, while Andrea Toniato (27.67) and Luca Residori (27.47) completed the podium.
The Italians also held semifinals this evening. Elena Gemo paced the women's 100 back in 1:00.98, while Lorenzo Benatti secured the top seed in the men's 100 fly with a 52.70. Renata Fabiola Spagnolo topped the women's 100 free in 55.27 as well.