Viberti Smashes Italian 50m Breaststroke Record at Sette Colli, Curtis and D’Ambrosio Shine in Freestyle Heats

The spotlight of the morning session at the 61st Trofeo Sette Colli IP—running through Saturday, June 28—belongs to a sensational Ludovico Blu Art Viberti, who not only took the lead in the 50m breaststroke but also shattered the Italian record. The 23-year-old from Piedmont—competing for Fiamme Oro and CN Torino and coached by Antonio Satta—clocked 26.27, demolishing his previous personal best of 26.80 and beating the previous Italian mark of 26.33 set by Nicolò Martinenghi for the European title in Rome 2022. Viberti’s time is also the world’s fastest this year. The closest rival to the Savoyard breaststroker is Russian Ivan Kozhakin, who posted 26.60. Simone Cerasuolo (Fiamme Oro/Imolanuoto) finished in 27.03, while Olympic 100m champion Martinenghi (Fiamme Oro) touched in 27.06.

“This record is a huge satisfaction and the culmination of so much hard work,” said Viberti, son of Giorgio, a veteran journalist at La Stampa. “I believe I deserve it and I think there’s still room for improvement. I love swimming and it’s almost my entire life. Making it to the World Championships was a goal, but it’s not the finish line: the aim is always to keep improving.”

Viberti’s story is remarkable. His middle name, Blu Art, comes from his parents’ favorite color and a tribute to Art Kenney, a former Simmenthal Milano basketball player from the 1970s. His swimming career almost never started—as a child, he suffered a serious fracture to his left humerus and underwent surgery, with doctors pessimistic about a full recovery. However, thanks to water therapy and swimming, he made a complete recovery. His brother, Federico Giorgio Pietro, is a backstroker, while his sister Eleonora was a solid breaststroker before retiring a few years ago.

Viberti is studying air transport science and technology and, once he retires from swimming, plans to become an air traffic controller. He supports Torino FC and is a fan of American sports, especially the NBA and NFL. As a youngster, he was a promising basketball player—like his father Giorgio, who follows him closely—but ultimately chose swimming.

Other Heats Highlights

The session opened with the 100m butterfly. The fastest time was set by German world champion Angelina Koehler, yesterday’s winner in the 50m, clocking 57.83—the only swimmer under 58 seconds in the morning. Swedish Louise Hansson, bronze medallist at Doha 2024, was second in 58.11. Italy’s always-reliable Costanza Cocconcelli, 23, from Castel San Pietro and competing for Fiamme Gialle and NC Azzurra 91, took third in 58.36—her third-best time ever, just 0.59 shy of her 57.77 set at the Italian Championships in Riccione 2024.

The men’s 200m butterfly final promises to be thrilling. Japan’s Tomoru Honda, Olympic silver medallist at Tokyo 2020, posted the fastest time in 1:56.59. However, the favourite is Britain’s Duncan Scott—second at Paris 2024 in the 200m IM—who was close behind in 1:57.50. Italians will be strong contenders in the evening: Federico Burdisso, 24, from Pavia and Italian record holder (1:54.28), is fourth after a comfortable 1:57.90. Alessandro Ragaini (Carabinieri/Team Marche) and Giacomo Carini (Fiamme Gialle/Can. Vittorino da Feltre) were fifth and sixth in 1:58.13 and 1:58.74, respectively.

The women’s 100m backstroke saw two Italians leading the way and ready to confirm their form in the final. Anita Gastaldi, 22, from Bra, competing for Carabinieri and V02 Nuoto Torino and coached by Fabrizio Clary, set the pace in 1:01.54, with a bold first 50m in 29.86 and a slightly slower second half in 31.68. She was chased by Federica Toma (Carabinieri/In Sport Rane Rosse), second in 1:01.84, aiming for a double after winning the 50m yesterday.

The men’s 50m backstroke was tightly contested. Russians Miron Lifintsev and Pavel Samusenko led in 24.94 and 24.99, respectively. Third place was shared by Michele Lamberti (Fiamme Gialle/GAM Team), coached by his father Giorgio in Brescia, and Lorenzo Mora (Fiamme Rosse/VVFF Modena), trained at the Federal Centre in Ostia by Claudio Rossetto, both clocking 25.22.

World-class finals are expected in the 400m IM. Among the women, British world champion Freya Colbert led in 4:48.07, but Sara Franceschi, finally in good health after injuries late in 2024, was right behind in 4:48.12. The 26-year-old from Livorno, competing for Fiamme Gialle and Livorno Aquatics and coached by her father Stefano, was third at the 2024 Doha Worlds. Among the men, another Brit, Max Litchfield, led in 4:17.45. Italian record holder (4:09.29) Alberto Razzetti, 26, from Lavagna, competing for Fiamme Gialle and Genova Nuoto My Sport, European champion in Rome 2022 and fifth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was fifth in a relaxed 4:20.80, confident he can perform at a higher level in the final.

The 100m freestyle heats, as usual, were a highlight. Sara Curtis, 18, from Savigliano, competing for Esercito and CS Roero and coached by Thomas Maggiora, was fastest in 54.17, over a second off her Italian record of 53.01 set at the Unipol Italian Championships in Riccione this spring. She was followed by Chiara Tarantino (Fiamme Gialle/In Sport Rane Rosse) in 54.45. Among the men, another young star, Carlos D’Ambrosio, 18, from Valdagno, competing for Fiamme Gialle and Fondazione Bentegodi, led in 48.60 (23.41 at the halfway mark), just 0.05 off his personal best of 48.55 set at the 2024 Italian Age Group Championships. Behind him were Hungary’s Nandor Nemeth in 48.66 and Thomas Ceccon (Fiamme Oro/Leosport) in 48.68.

Finally, in the women’s 50m breaststroke, Benedetta Pilato (CC Aniene) was the only woman under 30 seconds, clocking 29.99—the same time as her 2024 heat. She was followed by Finland’s Veera Kivirnta in 30.56 and Arianna Castiglioni (Fiamme Gialle/Team Insubrika) in 30.71.

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Photo Andrea Staccioli / DBM
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Info & Venue

The venue

The Foro Italico swimming complex is located between Monte Mario and the Tiber River and was built in the 1930s. It is considered to be the main swimming facility in Italy. The impressive structure has five swimming pools: two indoor (50 and 25 metres) and three outdoor pools (one 50-metre, one 33-metre and one for diving) and three gyms.

It regularly hosts national and regional swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming, diving and rescue swimming activities. The centre is also home to swimming schools, free swimming and educational and social activities.

In 1994 and 2009 the Foro Italico pools hosted the FINA World Championships in swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming and diving; in 1983 the European Championships. In 2011 it hosted the Euroleague Water Polo Final Four, the main international event for clubs, and in 2021 it hosted the European Junior Swimming Championships.

Regularly held events include the Seven Hills / International Swimming Trophy and the National Swimming, Rescue and Diving Championships, as well as the water polo matches of the A1-A2-B-C national championships and youth leagues.

General information

COMPETITION POOL
“Stadio del Nuoto” Olympic Pool – Foro Italico Complex
Piazzale Lauro De Bosis 3 – 00135 Roma (ITA)

TRAINING POOL
Foro Italico indoor pool – 50m x 8 lanes Piazzale Lauro De Bosis 3 – 00135 Roma (ITA)
Training space and equipment are granted free of charge starting from 26th July, in the afternoon.
Upon request, it will be possible to ask for training space before the 26th July: please contact Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo. for availability and quotation.
Please be aware that in this case equipment will not be available.

TRIBUNE AND ATHLETES LOUNGE
The venue tribunes, Tevere and Montemario, will be used alternatively according to the sun exposition: in the morning Tevere Tribune and in the afternoon Montemario Tribune.
A lounge area, sheltered from the sun, for teams will be pre-assigned. Please be informed that it is not allowed to bring your own tents.

SWIMMING POOL TIME TABLE The Venue will be open 20 minutes before the start of the warm-up and close 30 minutes after the end of the competition, for both morning and afternoon sessions.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE DURING COMPETITION
A cafeteria will be available during the competition at the Tevere Tribune area.
Please be aware that the outdoor pool will be closed during lunchtime. For those who will not choose the accommodation package, a cafeteria at the indoor venue – Foro Italico – remains open for lunch.

ANTI-DOPING
Doping tests will be run according to the NADO Italia Code by the Laboratorio Anti-Doping F.M.S.

EVENT SECRETARIAT
The information desk will be placed at the entrance of "Stadio del Nuoto".

Championship Schedule

OVERALL SCHEDULE
Programma generale

COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Programma gare

Registration & Logistics

CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTRATION & FEES

CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTRATION
Registration procedure will be established shortly.

ELEGIBILITY
Eligible Competitors who turn 15, 16, 17 or 18 years of age on or before 31/12/2026 (DoB: 2008-2009-2010-2011).

ANTIDOPING
This Event is sanctioned by the Italian Anti-Doping Agency (NADO).

RULES AND REGULATION
Handbook: europe.ilsf.org/projects/lifesaving-championships

EMAIL ADDRESS
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LOGISTICS INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION
The Italian Swimming Federation is pleased to welcome the participating Nations and the ILSE Members and Referees at the Official hotel selected for the Event:
HOTEL Villa Maria Regina, via della Camilluccia 687
An ALL-INCLUSIVE package with airport transfer, local transfers, welcome desk, full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner to be served at the hotel) at the following prices (per day / per room):
240 Euro in single
340 Euro in twin (€ 170,00 per day per person)
400 Euro in Triple (€ 133,33 per day per person)
CITY TAX is not included and has to be paid at check out
Please be informed that accommodation is an optional service. Feel free to make your own arrangements, but please kindly remind that in this case benefit like airport transfers or internal transfers will not be provided.

PAYMENTS
Accommodation payments and/or entry fees must be paid by bank transfer to the following bank account
BENEFICIARY INFORMATION:
Name as shown on account: F.I.N. - Federazione Italiana Nuoto
Federation Name: ITALIAN SWIMMING FEDERATION
Address: Stadio Olimpico Curva Nord - 00135 Roma Postal code: 00135
Country: Italy
VAT N. 01384031009
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BANK INFORMATION
Bank Name: BANCA NAZIONALE DEL LAVORO SPA
Address: Via Costantino Nigra 15 - Roma (IT) Postal code: 00135 Country: Italy
IBAN: IT23Z010503309000000010118
Swift/BIC: BNLIITRRXXX
REASON OF TRANSFER: EYLC Rome 2026 – Nation name

PRELIMINARY ENTRY DEADLINE
Please kindly send back this form to the Italian Swimming Federation within the DEADLINE of 15th May 2026.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY
Cancellations made within the 1 June 2026 will not incur any penalty.
1st Cancellations between 2 June and 30 June 2025 will incur a 50% charge of the total cost of the cancelled reservation.
2nd Cancellations from 1st July 2026 onwards will be charged 100% of the total cost of the cancelled reservation.
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LXII Settecolli IP. Parade of Stars in Rome

Stadio del Nuoto in Rome’s Foro Italico will host the 62nd edition of the Trofeo Settecolli IP - Internazionali di Nuoto from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28. It is an iconic stop on the international swimming calendar. A true parade of stars is expected during the three-day Roman event, featuring many of the biggest names in world swimming.
Alongside Italy’s top athletes, some of the world’s leading swimmers are expected to compete, including Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjöström, American swimmer Gretchen Walsh, British swimmer Adam Peaty, Romanian swimmer David Popovici, Swiss swimmer Noè Ponti, Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen, Russian swimmer Kliment Kolesnikov, Dutch swimmer Marrit Steenbergen and Hong Kong swimmer Siobhán Haughey, along with numerous Olympic and World Championship medalists.
Italy will field all of its stars: in addition to Olympic champions Thomas Ceccon and Nicolò Martinenghi, and legendary distance swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri, the lineup will include middle-distance queen and hometown favorite Simona Quadarella, world champion Simone Cerasuolo, rising talents Carlos D’Ambrosio and Sara Curtis, multiple international medalists Benedetta Pilato and Alberto Razzetti, team captains Silvia Di Pietro and Lorenzo Zazzeri, and many other Italian swimmers competing for qualification to the European Championships in Paris.
The 2026 edition takes place during a season in which the Italian national swimming team will compete in two other major international events before ending the year with the World Short Course Championships in Beijing from December 1 to 6.
First will be the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, with the swimming program scheduled from August 10 to 16. The Italian team returns to France two years after the Olympic Games, where they won six memorable medals - five at the Défense Arena and one in the waters of the Seine River. These included gold medals for Thomas Ceccon in the 100m backstroke and Nicolò Martinenghi in the 100m breaststroke, silver for Gregorio Paltrinieri in the 1500m freestyle, bronze for the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay featuring Alessandro Miressi, Thomas Ceccon, Paolo Conte Bonin and Manuel Frigo, another bronze for Gregorio Paltrinieri in the 800m freestyle, and bronze for Ginevra Taddeucci in the women’s 10km open-water race in the Seine.
The other major event involving the Italian swimming federation, together with the women’s water polo team Setterosa led by Maurizio Mirarchi and the men’s team Settebello coached by Alessandro Campagna, will be the Mediterranean Games in Taranto from August 21 to 25. The event returns to Italy seventeen years after the 2009 edition in Pescara.
The Trofeo Settecolli IP - Internazionali di Nuoto therefore represents a prestigious final test for national team technical director Cesare Butini in selecting athletes for upcoming international competitions.
The calendar also includes the European Junior Championships in Munich from July 7 to 12, featuring Italy’s best young swimmers under the guidance of youth national team director Marco Menchinelli.
Three days of competition will take place in the historic pool of the Foro Italico, venue of the 1960 Summer Olympics, the 1994 and 2009 World Championships, and the 1983 and 2022 European Championships, with more than 700 athletes expected from around the world.
Heats will begin each morning at 10:00 a.m. and will be streamed live on the YouTube channel of the Federazione Italiana Nuoto. "A" Finals will start at 7:00 p.m. with television coverage by Rai Sport. Before the finals, entertainment activities featuring swimming legends Massimiliano Rosolino and Filippo Magnini will engage spectators at the Foro Italico.
An exclusive and inclusive event, the Trofeo Settecolli IP - Internazionali di Nuoto will once again reserve space for the FINP with competitions involving Italian and international Paralympic athletes.
The playlist “Settecolli Vol. 3,” featuring songs selected by the winners of the previous edition, will be available soon on Spotify.
The Trofeo Settecolli IP - Internazionali di Nuoto is organized by the Federazione Italiana Nuoto in collaboration with Sport e Salute and under the patronage of the Regione Lazio and Roma Capitale, with support from the Italian Ministries for Sport and Youth and for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It is an event that combines sport, entertainment, international promotion, and the celebration of Made in Italy in one of the most evocative sporting venues in the world.

Lo Stadio del Nuoto del Foro Italico di Roma accoglie la sessantaduesima edizione del Trofeo Settecolli IP - Internazionali di Nuoto da venerdì 26 a domenica 28 giugno. Una tappa iconica nel calendario mondiale del nuoto. Una vera e proprio star parade attenderà la tre giorni natataoria romana con tanti big del nuoto internazionale. Accanto ai big italiani, sono attesi alcuni tra i principali esponenti del nuoto mondiale come la svedese Sarah Sjöström, la statunitense Gretchen Walshe, il britannico Adam Peaty, il rumeno David Popovici, lo svizzero Noè Ponti, l’irlandese Daniel Wiffen, il russo Kliment Kolesnikov, l’olandese Marrit Steenbergen e l’hongkonghese Siobhán Haughey oltre ai tanti medagliati olimpici e mondiali. L’Italia schiererà tutte le sue stelle: insieme agli ori olimpici Thomas Ceccon e Nicolò Martinenghi e al campione di tutto Gregorio Paltrinieri, saranno presenti la regina del mezzofondo e padrona di casa Simona Quadarella, il campione iridato Simone Cerasuolo, i giovani Carlos D’Ambrosio e Sara Curtis, i plurimedagliati internazionali Benedetta Pilato e Alberto Razzetti, i capitani Silvia Di Pietro e Lorenzo Zazzeri e tanti altri azzurri a caccia del pass per gli Europei di Parigi.
L’edizione 2026 si inserisce in una stagione che vedrà l’Italnuoto impegnata in altri due eventi internazionali prima di concludere l’anno solare con i campionati mondiali in vasca corta a Pechino dall’1 al 6 dicembre.
In primis i campionati europei delle discipline acquatiche a Parigi con il programma del nuoto che si sviluppa tra il 10 e il 16 agosto. Gli azzurri tornano in Francia due anni dopo i Giochi Olimpici con le sei memorabili medaglie, cinque conquistate alla Défense Arena e una nelle acque della Senna: gli ori di Thomas Ceccon nei 100 dorso e di Nicolò Martinenghi nei 100 rana, l’argento di Gregorio Paltrinieri nei 1500 stile libero, i bronzi della 4x100 stile libero maschile con Miressi, Ceccon, Conte Bonin e Frigo, ancora di Paltrinieri negli 800 stile libero e di Ginevra Taddeucci nella dieci chilometri sulla Senna.
L’altro evento cui prenderà parte l’Italnuoto, insieme al Setterosa guidato da Maurizio Mirarchi e al Settebello allenato da Alessandro Campagna, sono i Giochi del Mediterraneo a Taranto dal 21 al 25 agosto. Una manifestazione che torna a disputarsi in Italia diciassette anni dopo l’edizione di Pescara 2009.
Il Settecolli IP rappresenta pertanto un prestigioso ultimo check per il direttore tecnico della Nazionale di nuoto Cesare Butini nella definizione dei convocati per i prossimi impegni internazionali. Nel calendario degli eventi rientrano anche i campionati europei juniores previsti a Monaco di Baviera dal 7 al 12 luglio con la meglio gioventù azzurra guidata dal responsabile delle squadre nazionali giovanili Marco Menchinelli. Tre giorni di gare nella storica piscina del Foro Italico, teatro delle Olimpiadi del 1960, dei Mondiali del 1994 e 2009 e degli Europei del 1983 e 2022, con oltre 700 atleti attesi da tutto il mondo. 
Le batterie prenderanno il via ogni mattina alle 10:00 e saranno trasmesse in diretta sul canale YouTube della Federazione Italiana Nuoto. Le finali "A", invece, scatteranno dalle 19:00 con la copertura televisiva di Rai Sport. Prima delle finali spazio alle attività di intrattenimento con i talent Massimiliano Rosolino e Filippo Magnini che coinvolgeranno il pubblico presente sugli spalti del Foro Italico. Evento esclusivo e inclusivo, il Trofeo Settecolli IP riserva il consueto spazio alla FINP con le gare di atleti paralimpici italiani e internazionali. 
Sarà presto disponibile su Spotify la playlist "Settecolli Vol. 3" che include i brani scelti dai vincitori dell’ultima edizione.
Il Trofeo Settecolli IP 2026 è organizzato dalla Federazione Italiana Nuoto in collaborazione con Sport e Salute e patrocinato dalla Regione Lazio e da Roma Capitale, col supporto dei ministeri per lo Sport e i Giovani e degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale. Un evento che coniuga sport, spettacolo, promozione internazionale e valorizzazione del Made in Italy in uno degli impianti più suggestivi del panorama sportivo.

62° Settecolli IP 2026 - Schedule (provvisional)

62° Settecolli IP 2026 - Records