Gregorio Paltrinieri closes out European Championships with silver in relay event

Italy ends the European Open Water Swimming Championships in Stari Grad, on the Croatian island of Hvar, on a high note by taking silver in the 4×1500-meter relay in 1h03’41″39. The Italian team, consisting of Giulia Gabbrielleschi, Ginevra Taddeucci, Marcello Guidi and Gregorio Paltrinieri, was second behind Hungary in 1h03’39″45. In third place was France with a time of 1h03’41″72.

The blue relay was opened by Giulia Gabbrielleschi: the 28-year-old from Pistoia – a member of Fiamme Oro and Nuotatori Pistoiesi and coached by Massimiliano Lombardi, swam in 16’25″95 at the 1500-meter run with Italy in fifth. In the second split, Ginevra Taddeucci in 16’33″02 brings the Azzurri to fourth place at the halfway mark. It is the turn of Marcello Guidi. The 28-year-old from Cagliari – a member of Fiamme Oro and Rari Nantes Cagliari and coached by Ivan Sacchi – drags Italy to third place, stopping the clock at 15’20″34. Last 1500 meters entrusted to Gregorio Paltrinieri.

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The 30-year-old from Carpi–registered with Fiamme Oro and Coopernuoto and coached by Fabrizio Antonelli–imparts a powerful and determined acceleration. His time of 15’22″08 places Italy second overall in 1h03’41″39, 1″93 behind Hungary.
Extremely positive results for the national cross-country team. Ginevra Taddeucci won gold in the 5 km and took silver in the 10 km, while Gregorio Paltrinieri took the continental title in the 5 km. Now the focus shifts to the Absolute Championships kicking off June 1 in Piombino with the 10 km. Then the spotlight turns toward the World Championships in Singapore, scheduled for July 15-20.