ITALIAN OLYMPIC TRIALS
- March 31 – April 3, 2021
- Prelims at 9am local/Finals at 4:30pm local
- Riccione – Swimming Stadium
- Long course meters (LCM)
- Qualification Standards
- Meet Site
- Start Lists
- Live Stream
- Live Results
In the 100 breast final this evening in Riccione, the stage was set for Martina Carraro and Arianna Castiglioni to vie for the second spot on the Italian Olympic team in the event.
Since the meteoric rise of young sprinter Benedetta Pilato, who was also racing tonight, there have been three major Italian sprint breaststroke talents. When it comes to the Olympics, though, the number three gets complicated.
With Pilato already qualified with her Italian record-breaking 1:06.02 from the Italian Open Championships in December, it came down to who could go faster in the final– Carraro or Castiglioni. Carraro thundered home on the back-half tonight, and she touched first in a very tight finish, going 1:05.86.
Pilato and Castiglioni tied for second in 1:06.00, which would’ve been even more dramatic had Pilato not already qualified.
With her swim, Carraro wins the duel for the Olympic roster spot, and she also becomes the first Italian woman under 1:06. This was the best race in Italian breaststroke history, as all three women set new bests, all under Pilato’s former record of 1:06.02 and the 16-year-old Pilato setting a new junior national record.
Carraro is now tied for the #15 performer in history with that swim. She also now ranks #2 in the world behind only World Record-holder Lilly King, as Castiglioni and Pilato now sit tied for the #4 spot worldwide this season.
2020-2021 LCM Women 100 Breast
King
1:04.72
| 2 | Tatjana Schoenmaker | RSA | 1:04.82 | 07/25 |
| 3 | Lydia Jacoby | USA | 1:04.95 | 07/27 |
| 4 | Annie Lazor | USA | 1:05.37 | 06/14 |
| 5 | Sophie Hansson | SWE | 1:05.66 | 07/25 |
any video of this race?
Makes sense to send Pilato. Young as she is, she improves every time she hits the water. She will soon take back the 100 BS Italian record.
It makes sense but I still feel the only fair way to pick Olympic places is on merit. That means take the first two at trials no excuses. There should be swim-off.
That’s like, your opinion man.
Caramignioli could have qualified at the same meet Pilato did. They didn’t just give Pilato the spot; she earned it by swimming faster than the mandated time standard at Italy’s first Olympic qualifying meet.
Really tough on Castiglioni. On another topic, I have Carraro as now being equal 16th fastest all time rather than 15th.
Have to feel for the 1:06.00 woman who misses out.
Atleast she only tied with Benedetta and didn’t beat her I suppose.
Missing the Olympics by 0.01…the cruellest fate.
Don’t think she would’ve gotten in even with 1:05.99 or faster, I believe pilato was already a lock regardless
She actually had to beat the girl that got first. the one she tied with was already qualified but with a slower time than the one today.
Pilato was already selected for the team so only one spot was available.
An amazing race, congratulations to all the ladies here.