Short tub, Italy gets off to a strong start
Swimming, Europeans
Two silvers, six passes to the finals and three personal bests in the blue narrative of the first day of the 22nd European short-tub swimming championships being held at the beautiful Aquatics Complex in Otopeni, Romania, until Dec. 10. Italnuoto is off to a great start with protagonsti young and old, a speed that opens up interesting scenarios for the future and an afternoon on Wednesday, December 6 that promises to be interesting.
Blue sprinting è is more alive than ever. At the end of the day, the 4×50 freestyle relays give two silver medals with considerable specific weight. The first medal in Otopeni bears the signature of four splendid protagonists who swim in 1'36"92. Silvia Di Pietro opened in 24"39; Costanza Cocconcelli (24"21) and Chiara Tarantino (24"20) maintained fifth position close to the podium; then an anthological, dragonfly-like finish by Sara Curtis (24"12) who bypassed Holland (1'37"98), Denmark (1'37"38) and Great Britain (1'37"19) in one stroke. Gold to Sweden in 1'35"60.
"It's a medal that was needed and that lifts my spirits after the individual test (eliminated in the semifinals, ed.) – says Di Pietro, card-carrying member of Carabinieri and CC Aniene – We were all very good at staying with the best" all the time. Continues Cocconcelli (Fiamme Gialle/NC Azzurra 91): "I would say that better than thisì she could not start. Sara has accomplished a masterpiece". She is echoed by Tarantino (Yellow Flames/In Sport Rane Rosse): "I am satisfied with my launched fraction. Sweden was not approachable. I dedicate this medal to my whole family". Conclusion by Sara Curtis (CS Roero): "I am so happy for all the girls. In the national team there's a beautiful atmosphere: this è a great group". Then the 17-year-old from Piedmont rewinds the tape slightly and thinks back to the individual semifinal: "I reached the final and è a great goal. I am very gassed and I never preclude myself from anything".
Five minutes later the girls are imitated by the four blue sprinters. Leonardo Deplano (21"05) with the personal best, Lorenzo Zazzeri (20"50) on the edge of the change, Thomas Ceccon (20"98) and Alessandro Miressi (20"61) pulled in 1'23"14, preceded only by Great Britain in 1'22"52; bronze a bit' surprise to Greece in 1'23"27. "I am filing something on the swim and compared to the Città of Florence and the Assoluti you can see improvements – explains Deplano, a member of Carabinieri and CC Aniene, who lowers his personal best by 21"12 – We broke the ice and è a very good silver". Less satisfied ZazzArt (Esercito/RN Florentia): "I honestly thought I would swim a little bit' less. I also started very well. In the end we don't complain and we are also happy with the women" relay. Smiles Ceccon (Fiamme Oro/Leosport): "Nothing exceptional on my part. As already announced on the eve – clarifies the Schio outfielder – I will disputerò only 100 and 200 mixed and some relay. I am a little bit' tired". Last beats reserved for Alessandro Miressi (Fiamme Oro/CN Torino): "We always swim to win, but this medal è heavy and important also in the sign of continuityà".
