Seveteen Italian athletes on the podium, five new records of the Settecolli Trophy, important successes. The first day of the 50th Edition of the Settecolli Trophy has seen many protagonists, national and international ones. Starting from the last final on schedule, Martina Rita Caramignoli won silver medal in the 1500 freestyle, establishing a personal record of 16'11''66, swimming under the time limit for the upcoming Championships of Barcellona , by 4 seconds. Martina's performance is just the last great performance of the day. Previously, Fabio Scozzoli won 100 breastroke and established a new record of the Settecolli Trophy, swimming in 59''95, only 53 hundereth of a second from his personal record obtained in Shanghai 2011; Ilaria Bianchi won the 100 butterfly in 58''49, beating Hungarian Evelyn Verraszto (59''04) and Matteo Rivolta won 100 butterlfly in 52''72, beating bronze olympic medallist of 200 medley, Laszlo Cseh (52''80). Great performance of Federica Pellegrini, third in the 400 freestyle with 4'07''37 behind French athletes, olympic champion Muffat (4'02''64) and bronze olympic medallist Balmy (4'05''73) in the 4x200 relay race.

Athlete's Statements. The protagonists of the "A FINALS" tell us how they feel.
Arianna Barbieri, winner of the 50 backstroke: "I'm really happy with today's result because it gets me closer to my objective: the italian record and the World championships qualification". Camille Lacourt, first place in 50 backstroke:"I'm really happy of today's final and happy to be at this level"; Stefano Mauro Pizzamiglio, silver medallist after the French athlete,is confident: "I have some difficulties in giving my best in the 50m race but I will indeed improve".
Federica Pellegrini, bronze medal in the 400 freestyle behind French Muffat and Balmy is satisfied. "This was a test to evaluate my potential in freestyle. Last year, in preparation for the Olympics here in Rome, I had performed the 400 freestyle in 4'06''. The time is satisfying because it shows that I am still quite competitive even though I am training once a day. I'm working really well. I really trust my coach”. About the French rival Muffat, she comments: "We both look up at each other, like all the big champions do". The olympic Champion comments her race: "At the beginning of the season I was not able to swim as fast as today. Now, I am really happy about the times I have achieved". Samuel Pizzetti, winner of the 400 freestyle. "I always find the strength to react in the final - he says- and this is a good sign. Its more fun to train for the 400m race, and due to the results, I guess that training for shorter distances is best right now".
Michela Guzzetti,gold medallist in 100 breastroke explains her progress. "I changed training technique. I train in a much linear and continuous way. I am improving continuously, and surely expect better results as time goes by." Fabio Scozzoli won the 100 breastroke. He smiles, like always. "I still don't feel stability in my swim. Today's goal was to swim under 1minute's time, so I am really happy for the result". Ilaria Bianchi, winner of 100 butterfly. " The time is okay. However, I have to do more in order to compete at international standards. I would like to repeat the time of the London 2012 Olympics. Matteo Rivolta has won the 100 butterfly in front of Laszlo Cseh. He's really satisfied. " It's wonderful to participate in competitions of such level. Maybe I could have obtained a better time, but I feel the fatigue. Beating Cseh is already a big satisfaction for me.
Martina Rita Caramignoli won silver medal in the 1500 freestyle with the time of 16'11''68, beating the time-limit of the World Championships by 4 seconds. She also broke her personal record. " I finally beat the time! I'm extremely happy because this is the pool I train in everyday. Wearing the National swimming suit is a further stimulus for me, it helps me push myslef even further. After this tough year, where I missed the qualifications for the London 2012 Olympics, I hope to be in great form for the World Championships. With today's time, I would have surely participated in the final at Shanghai 2011.

Head coach Cesare Butini compliments the Italian Athletes." Overall, incredible results. It's a really particular moment for our athletes who are working really hard for the qualifications of the World Championships. We are working to complete the squad for Barcelona 2013. Great performance of Martina Caramignoli: she greatly improved the time of the last National Championships on a long distance, and that's never easy. Martina pushed a lot in the first part of the race. Furthermore, we're pretty sure that with a more balanced tactic she can improve even more before the World Championships of Barcellona. Great reactions and feedback from Scozzoli, Bianchi and Rivolta, athletes who have already qualified for the World CHampionships and have respectively beaten Olympic Champion Gyurta, silver oylmpic medallist Korotyshkin and Hungarians Verratzo and Jakabos. I'm pleased with Federica Pellegrini's performance in the 400 freestyle, it is a great encouragament for the upcoming relay races at the World Championships, even though she is preparing backstroke. I am also really pleased to confirm the presences of Pizzetti and D'Arrigo in the 400 freestyle and Guzzetti in the 100 breastroke. Also, great performance of Paltrinieri, after having performed a 400 freestyle above his potential, succeeded in the 800 freestyle. He is currently dividing himself up between swimming and high school, as he is working for his high school diploma. The general level of competition of this meeting is high. All the experience, information, and output of this competition will be of great importance for the future preparation of the athletes”.

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