At the Milan Cup, Federica Pellegrini (ITA) took the 200m free comfortably in 1:57.04, and announced that she will race 200, 400 and 800m freestyle at the European Championships in Budapest "as a promise to Castagnetti". Alberto Castagneti, her coach and Italy's head coach for many years, died after heart surgery last autumn.
The promise goes further: Pellegrini revealed that it was Castagnetti's wish that she take on all events from 100m to 800m at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Pellegrini played down her chances (only a little) in Budapest, telling Italian reporters in Milan: "We must be realistic, in the 800, given the dominance of the British and Danish swimmers Rebecca Adlington and Lotte Friis. The bronze is up for grabs. But people can have a bad race and on that day something wonderful could happen."
She added: ''I believe absolutely in this project initiated by Castagnetti, I feel a bit of a moral obligation towards him but I'm positive about it." She will also race the 4x200m free and 4x100m medley in Budapest "should my friends get us to the final".
David Dunford (KEN) enjoyed a double victory, in the 100m free in 49.76 ahead of Filippo Magnini (ITA) and Eamon Sullivan (AUS) and the 50m 'fly in 23.98 matching Geoff Huegill (AUS) and ADN Project teammate Evgeny Korotyshkin (RUS), on 24.47.
Results at a glance:
- Men
- 100m free: Dunford David (KEN) 49.76; Magnini Filippo (ITA) 49'.93; Eamon Sullivan (AUS) 50.87
- 400m free: Peter Vanderkaay (USA) 3:53.10; Federico Colbertaldo (ITA) 3:54.49; Samuel Pizzetti (ITA) 3:56.69
- 100m back: Matteo Giordano (ITA) 56.17; Mirko Di Tora (ITA) 56.59; Srefano Pizzamiglio (ITA) 57.17
- 50 'fly: Jason Dunford (KEN) 23.98; Geoff Huegill (AUS) 23.98; Evgeny Korotyshkin (RUS) 24.47
- Women
- 200 free: Federica Pellegrini (ITA) 1:57.04; Evelyn Verraszto (HUN) 2:00.63; Coralie Balmy (FRA) 2:00.70
- 100m breaststroke: Yulia Efimova (RUS) 1:08.93; Chiara Boggiatto (ITA) 1:10.47; Michela Guzzetti (ITA) 1:11.97
- 50m 'fly: Therese Alshammar (SWE) 26.08; Diane Bui Duyet (FRA) 27.79; Laura Letrari (ITA) 28.23
- Head-to-heads:
- 50 breast: Efimova beat Boggiatto
- 50 free: Sullivan beat Dunford
