Gretchen Walsh: “I Want To Break The 54-Second Barrier” – Quotes From Settecolli Day 1

67TH SETTE COLLI TROPHY 

• Friday, June 26th – Sunday, June 28th
• Prelims at 9am local (3am ET)/A-Finals at 7pm local (1pm ET)
• Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
• Meet Central
• Entry List
• Live Results
• Finals Livestream
• Day 1 Prelims Recap
• Day 1 finals Recap

Day one of the Sette Colli Trophy delivered fast swimming, national records, and several world-leading performances, but it also offered a glimpse into how many of the sport’s biggest names are approaching the second half of the season.

Fresh off her American record and the second-fastest women’s 50 butterfly ever (24.51), Gretchen Walsh admitted she couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin the meet.

“I think this race was really well executed. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my meet with the best time, so close to the world record. It just makes me even more excited to hopefully work toward breaking that.”

With the Pan Pacific Championships serving as her main target later this summer, Walsh said she still trains the 50 butterfly regularly and considers it one of her priority events.

Rather than focusing on records alone, she explained that staying motivated comes from celebrating incremental progress while continuing to set ambitious goals.

“I try to celebrate the little wins and keep setting the bar really high for myself—goals that maybe other people don’t think I can achieve.”

Walsh also spoke enthusiastically about her first experience racing at Sette Colli, revealing that other international swimmers convinced her to add Rome to her schedule.

“Many of them encouraged me to come. I’m really glad I followed them and decided to race here.”

Having arrived several days early, she embraced the city away from the pool as well.

“Everything is amazing here—the city and the pool. We visited the Pantheon, Vatican City, Piazza Navona, walked around downtown… and of course I’ve eaten a lot of pasta.”

Walsh also revealed another ambitious target for the coming years. Despite already holding the world record at 54.33, she said she wants to become the first woman in history to swim under 54 seconds in the 100 butterfly.

Off the pool deck, she couldn’t stop praising Rome. After arriving a few days early for sightseeing, Walsh called the Foro Italico one of the most beautiful venues she has ever competed in, saying the atmosphere and the international field were among the main reasons she decided to add the Sette Colli to her schedule.

One of the loudest ovations of the evening belonged to Italy’s Sara Curtis, who lowered her own European record in the women’s 50 backstroke. Curtis said the swim carried extra meaning because racing outdoors has traditionally been challenging for her.

“Swimming outdoors has always felt difficult for me, so to swim a personal best here is fantastic. Training in the United States has been a fundamental turning point in my development.”

Curtis also laughed about having her morning disqualification overturned before returning to break the European record in the evening.

“It made me smile. Things like that happen.”

Sarah Sjostrom continued her comeback following the birth of her son, earning silver behind Walsh in the 50 butterfly. The Swedish superstar admitted she has surprised herself with how quickly she has returned to this level.

“I’m so happy to be back. Considering I gave birth just ten months ago, it’s a big surprise to already be racing like this again.”

She added that motherhood has given her a fresh perspective.

“Every race feels like another opportunity to find new ways to get faster. Motherhood is wonderful. It’s the best life you could wish for.”

With several Olympic and world champions already producing outstanding performances—and many still building toward their major meets later this summer—the opening night in Rome suggested there may be even more fireworks over the remaining two days of competition.

Quote courtesy Italian Swimming Federation