Sara Curtis Rattles New Italian 50 Free Record; Carlos D’Ambrosio Clinches Freestyle Double
- Results
- Day 1 report
- Day 2 report
- Day 3 report
- Sara Curtis Takes Down Italian 50 Free Record In Prelims
Sara Curtis and Carlos D’Ambrosio each paid another trip to the top of the podium on the penultimate night of the Italian Championships in Riccione.
Sara Curtis: Photo Courtesy: Depbluemedia
Curtis had put on a record-breaking show in the 50 free prelims with a 24.29 Italian standard. It sliced 0.12 off her previous standard of 24.41 set in prelims at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore and sent her to the top of the 2026 rankings.
She returned to go within a fingernail of another new record in 24.31 with the six-time European junior champion now owning the two fastest times in the world this year.
It saw her add another swim to her at the European Championships in Paris in August following her 50 back title – also in 27.33 record time – and 100 free gold.
Curtis told the Italian federation: “I’m happy because I managed to transform the mixed emotions of the 100 into a good race. This morning the record came and this afternoon I did an excellent time.”
Silvia di Pietro was also inside the cut in 24.73 with Agata Maria Ambler breaking the 25sec barrier for the first time in 24.85.
D’Ambrosio Doubles Up; Del Signore Punches Paris Ticket
D’Ambrosio won the 100 free to book his ticket to Paris this summer on Thursday with the second-fastest performance of his young career.
Carlos D’Ambrosio: Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia
On Friday, the 19-year-old dominated the 200 free in 1:45.77, 0.62 off the Italian record of 1:45.15 he set en-route to the world junior title in Otopeni, Romania, last year.
Jacopo Barbotti came from fourth at the final turn to come through for second in 1:47.27 as following his 200IM victory. Alessandro Ragaini was third in 1:47.61.
Thomas Ceccon held a 0.88 lead at the final turn of the 200 back. However, Daniele Del Signore accelerated down the last 50 to go past the Olympic 100 back champion and into the wall in a 1:56.89 PB to book a ticket to Paris. Matteo Venini also overhauled Ceccon to finish second in 1:57.00 to 1:57.19.
“Today I got the maximum: title, a pass for the Europeans and I beat Thomas who is a champion,” said Del Signore who rose who from 10th to fifth place among Italian performers.
There were no regrets from Ceccon after going out fast before being overhauled despite intending to go out slow and build through the race. “Then I did the opposite and it didn’t go well,” he said. “Now I need to go home, disconnect a bit and then go back to being an athlete.”
Borelli Flies To Italian Textile Best
Paola Borelli delivered the fastest textile 200 fly by an Italian woman when she stopped the clock in 2:07.47 to cut 0.02 off the previous best of 2:07.49 that had stood to Alessia Polieri since the 2016 Europeans in London. Sofia Sartori also got on the podium in 2:10.14 with Giada Alzetta (2:11.24).
Alberto Razzetti: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Alberto Razzetti clinched the 100/200 fly double with a 51.92 victory in the shorter race. His time was outside the Europeans QT although he’s already booked his Paris ticket in the 200 fly and 200IM. Francesco Ceolin (52.00) and Michele Busa (52.04) joined him on the podium.
Federica Toma won the women’s 100 back in 1:00.59 although her time was outside the cut. Francesca Pasquino (1:00.89) and Aurora Velati (1:01.34) joined her on the podium.
Christian Mantegazza was a sliver off the QT in the men’s 200 breast, clocking 2:10.03. Andrea Prapugicu (2:11.68) and Alessandro Fusco (2:12.21) followed him home.