Simona Quadarella Clinches Treble & Cerasuolo Heads 50 Breaststroke Rankings As Italian Championships End
- Results
- Day 1 report
- Day 2 report
- Day 3 report
- Sara Curtis Takes Down Italian 50 Free Record In Prelims
- Day 4 report
Simona Quadarella completed the distance treble with a dominant 400 victory as the Italian Championships wrapped up in Riccione.
Simona Quadarella: Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia
The two-time European champion led throughout, pulling away from 200 free champion Bianca Nannucci in the second half of the race to touch in 4:03.59, the second fastest of her career behind the 4:03.35 title-winning time at the 2018 Europeans. Nannucci took second in 4:08.24 with Emma Vittoria Giannelli third in 4:09.42.
It completes a fine meet for Quadarella who has reaped the benefits of training under the watchful eye of Dean Boxall at St Peter’s Western in Australia with victories in the 800 (8:21.01) and 1500 (15:55.89) as well as bronze in the 200 (1:58.23).
The three-time world champion said: “Today I was very tired and seeing this time is very gratifying. It is true that the period spent in Australia has done me good; but if I have improved and have continued it is thanks to the work I do with Gianluca (coach Gianluca Belfiore.”
The meet acts as the first opportunity to book a place on the Italy team for the European Championships which run from 10-16 August in Paris. The second chance comes at the Sette Colli meet in Rome in June.
Paltrinieri Pulls Away On Final 50; Curtis Claims Fourth Gold
Gregorio Paltrinieri was in a tussle from the 1000m mark before pulling away from Marcello Guidi on the final 50 to take the 1500 free title.
The five-time Olympic medallist across pool and open water led throughout before Ivan Giovannoni went ahead with 500 to go. Paltrinieri retook the lead at 1350 only to slip to second behind Guidi with 100m remaining. He drew level and the pair couldn’t be separated at the final turn before Paltrinieri accelerated away to win in 14:58.03 to 14:58.30. Giovannoni was third in 14:59.21.
Gregorio Paltrinieri: Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia
“I’m fully loaded and I decided only at the last minute to compete in this race,” said Paltrinieri who confirmed that his focus was on open water. “I wanted to be here to get away from the open water a bit…Today it was a good battle with Marcello and Ivan who are practically my training partners and with whom I have a daily relationship.”
Sara Curtis claimed the fourth title of the meet with a 25.89 PB in the 50 fly. The 19-year-old leaves the Eternal City to return to the University of Virginia with the 50/100 free, 50 fly and 50 back crowns. She’s also rewritten the Italian record books in the 50 free (24.29) and 50 back (27.33).
With four individual events and relays, Curtis is set for a busy programme in Paris but for now it’s all about rest and recovery.
“Now I will pull the plug for a few days,” she said. “I need to rest and then I will think about the European Championships. I want to arrive in Paris in top condition, because I want to go fast.”
Cerasuolo Goes Top Of Rankings
Simone Cerasuolo: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Simone Cerasuolo won the men’s 50 breast in emphatic manner with the 2025 world champion in oceans of space in 26.51. It was enough to propel him to the top of the 2026 rankings which are constantly evolving at the moment with trials season in full swing. Flavio Mangiamele (27.11) and Gabriele Mancini (27.21) joined him on the podium.
Benedetta Pilato booked her passage to Paris with a 30.13 blast in the women’s 50 breaststroke. Anita Bottazzo was also inside the cut in 30.20 with Lisa Angiolini next home in 30.61. It was a third podium of the meet for Angiolini who set an Italian record of 2:22.28 en-route to 200 gold alongside the 100 title.
Jacopo Barbotti clinched the medley double with victory in the longer race although his time of 4:16.01 was outside the cut. He has though already booked Paris berths in the 200IM and 200 free.