Federica Pellegrini, Circolo Canottieri Aniene, bypassed the defense of the 100m freestyle crown at Italian spring nationals in Riccione to focus on the race after the sprint: 800m. It was a race she had not swum seriously since 2007, when she set a best time of 8:29.01. Today she clocked 8:27.54 to take the national crown in the absence of national record holder and Olympic silver medallist Alessia Filippi, out with an inflamed shoulder.

Pellegrini, now second-fastest Italian all-time, swam an even-paced race, turning in 4:13.32 and coming home in 4:14.12, the second 200m the slowest by a small margin. Olympic 200m and world 200m and 400m champion, Pellegrini has said that the 16-lap race is one that she will use for stamina but she is yet to decide whether she will race it when the heat is on at the European Championships in Budapest.

 The best time in the world this year is an 8:21.95 by 400m and 800m Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington, of Britain and England. She too has yet to decide her 2010 priority, Budapest or Commonwealth Games in Delhi, but she has suggested she will not fire at both.

Italian nationals and trials, day 4 race reports

Women's 200m butterfly

Catarina Giacchetti, Circolo Canottieri Aniene, retained her crown in 2:11.19, ahead of two newcomers who did not reach the podium a year ago, Silvia Meschiari, 17 and racing for Rane Rosse Aqvasport, on 2:11.97, and 15-year-old Alessia Polieri, on 2:12.13.

Times in transition (top 3, Italian spring nationals, 2009 and 2010)

• 2009: 2:09.29; 2:10.43; 2:12.14
• 2010: 2:11.19; 2:11.97; 2:12.13

Giacchetti holds the national record at 2:06.50

Men's 50m breaststroke

It could barely have been a closer call as three men who did not feature on the podium a year ago stepped up to take honours within 0.01sec of each other: Luca Pizzini, Centro Sp.vo Carabinieri, was the man thanking heaven that he didn't cut his nails this morning, the crown his in 28.21, with Fabio Scozzoli, Centro Sportivo Esercito, and Andrea Toniato, Plain Team Veneto, both on 28.22. Bronze medal winner from a year ago, Luca Residori, now with Ispra Swim Planet, was disqualified.

Times in transition (top 3, Italian spring nationals, 2009 and 2010)

• 2009: 27.25 nr; 27.58; 27.62
• 2010: 28.21; 28.22; 28.22

Alessandro Terrin, 2009 champion, holds the national record at 27.20.

Women's 100m breaststroke

Chiara Boggiatto, Nuoto Livorno, was back at the helm of Italian breaststroke, on 1:09.74 for the crown ahead of Nicol Valentini, Nuoto Fiamme Gialle, on 1:09.90, the bronze going to Michela Guzzetti, 17 and racing for Rane Rosse Aqvasport, on 1:10.36. Last year's podium placers finished 6th, 4th and 8th respectively this year, Martina Carraro on 1:10.97, Ombretta Plos on 1:10.71 and national record holder Ilaria Scarcella on 1:11.14.

Times in transition (top 3, Italian spring nationals, 2009 and 2010)

• 2009: 1:08.40 nr; 1:08.60; 1:08.63
• 2010: 1:09.74; 1:09.90; 1:10.36

Scarcella holds the national mark at 1:06.86 

Men's 400m medley

Luca Marin, Ispra Swim Planet, put a smile on girlfriend Federica pellegrini's face before she took the plunge in the 800m free when he  retained the long medley title in 4:17.92. The silver went to Federico Turrini, Centro Sportivo Esercito, on 4:21.89, with Luca Angelo Dioli, Forestale, on 4:22.06 and taking bronze for the second year in succession.

Times in transition (top 3, Italian spring nationals, 2009 and 2010)

• 2009: 4:13.10; 4:15.69; 4:16.60
• 2010: 4:17.92; 4:21.89; 4:22.06

Marin holds the Italian record at 4:09.88, which earned him bronze at Melbourne 2007 world titles.

Women's 100m freestyle

The defending champ, Federica Pellegrini, was waiting in the wings for the 800m. The cat away, the mice did play and in a blanket finish, Chiara Masini Luccetti, 16 and racing for Esseci Nuoto, was crowned in 56.06 at the helm of a podium that featured none of last year's medallists. Silvia Di Pietro, also 16 and for Forum Sport Center, was just 0.03sec away, with the bronze going to Erika Ferraioli, Centro Sportivo Esercito, on 56.30, which locked her teammate Flavia Zoccari out on 56.61, a potential relay berth.

Times in transition (top 3, Italian spring nationals, 2009 and 2010)

• 2009: 53.55 nr; 56.24; 56.30
• 2010: 56.06; 56.09; 56.30

Pellegrini holds the Italian record at 53.55 from a year ago.

Women's 800m freestyle

Pellegrini, Circolo Canottieri Aniene, took gold in 8:27.54 ahead of a distant tussle for the minor spoils Martina De Memme, Nuoto Livorno, on 8:39.55, bronze going to Giorgia Consiglio, Circolo Canottieri Aniene, on 8:39.92.

Times in transition (top 3, Italian spring nationals, 2009 and 2010)

• 2009: 8:26.80; 8:38.41; 8:41.72
• 2010: 8:27.54; 8:39.55; 8:39.92 

Alessia Filippi, Olympic silver medal winner, holds the national record at 8:17.21, from Rome 2009.

Men's 100m butterfly

Marco Belotti, Circolo Canottieri Aniene, is national champion after a 53.46 win over four others who also toppled defending champion and the new champion's clubmate Lorenzo Benatti. The silver went to Stefano Pizzamiglio, Malaspina Sport Club, on 53.67, the bronze to 

Stefano Iacobone, Ispra Swim Planet, 53.83. Benatti, the only medallist from 2009 in the final this year, clocked 54.19. The other two medallists from 2009 finished 16th and 19th in heats, while national record holder Davide Natullo finished 11th on 55.06.

Times in transition (top 3, Italian spring nationals, 2009 and 2010)

• 2009: 52.92; 53.20; 53.21
• 2010: 53.46; 53.67; 53.83

Natullo holds the Italian mark at 52.14 from last summer.

Women's 200m medley 

Francesca Segat, Nuoto Fiamme Gialle, retained the crown in 2:13.95, ahead of Camilla Dal Rio, 17 of for Imolanuoto, on 2:17.24, with bronze going to Stefania Pirozzi, 16 and for Circolo Canottieri Napoli, on 2:18.20. Last year's other medal winners did not compete this year.

Times in transition (top 3, Italian spring nationals, 2009 and 2010)

• 2009: 2:12.20; 2:14.70; 2:16.76
• 2010: 2:13.95; 2:17.24; 2:18.20

The Italian record is held at by Alessia Filippi, at 2:11.25.