Italy's aquatic stars delivered another commanding showcase at the Stadio del Nuoto at Foro Italico, with Sara Curtis and Simona Quadarella headlining the 62nd edition of the Trofeo Settecolli—the final major domestic tune-up before the championship season resumes. In the women's 50 freestyle heats, Curtis clocked 24.37 seconds, narrowly missing the national record by just 0.08 seconds, while Quadarella secured her third consecutive distance title, sweeping gold across the 400, 800, and 1500 freestyle events.
Curtis Presses National Record in Sprint Showdown
Sara Curtis delivered a performance that will keep Italian swimming fans on the edge of their seats. The 19-year-old touched the wall in 24.37 seconds during the morning heats of the 50 freestyle, finishing third overall behind American competitor Gretchen Walsh (24.10) and Swedish legend Sarah Sjöström (24.24). Curtis came within a whisker of her own Italian record of 24.29, set at the national championships in April.
Walsh and Sjöström brought formidable competition to Rome. Sjöström brings an incomparable pedigree with multiple Olympic, World, and European medals across her career, and remains one of Europe's fastest sprinters. With the evening finals scheduled, the stage is set for another assault on the national mark, with Curtis among the top contenders.
Quadarella Completes Distance Trilogy
Simona Quadarella, the undisputed queen of Italian distance swimming, captured a rare triple crown after posting the fastest qualifying times across three events. The 28-year-old from Rome claimed victory in the 1500 freestyle (15:46.19) and the 800 freestyle (8:21.03), with her 400 freestyle heat time of 4:11.26 securing the favorite status for the final.
Quadarella's consistency across three days and three events—spanning a combined 2,700 meters—speaks to both her endurance base and tactical maturity. The all-Italian podium in the 1500, featuring Noemi Cesarano (16:16.27) and Azzurra Sbaragli (16:25.03), further highlighted the depth Italy has cultivated in distance events. These rising swimmers are breaking through benchmarks that would have been remarkable just a decade ago.
Supporting Cast Advances to Finals
The Italian men added depth to the finals lineup. Christian Mantegazza qualified for the 200 breaststroke final, while Carlos D'Ambrosio advanced in the 200 freestyle, his signature event. Both swimmers will contest their finals later tonight at the Foro Italico.
The Settecolli meet, now in its 62nd year, serves as a critical barometer for Italy's Federazione Italiana Nuoto (FIN). With the championship calendar shifting toward high-stakes competitions later this year, head coaches are using Rome as a final opportunity to assess form, pacing strategies, and mental readiness before major international meets.
Italy's Swimming Profile
The performances at Settecolli 2026 confirm that Italy remains a competitive force in European swimming, with particular strength in distance freestyle events. Curtis's emergence as a legitimate sprint threat signals an important shift in Italian women's speed events, historically an area where the country has faced stronger competition internationally.
Quadarella's dominance in distance freestyle ensures Italy will continue to collect medals in long-course events, particularly at European Championships and World Cups. Her consistent performances also provide momentum for younger swimmers breaking through to international standards.
For residents and sports fans across Italy, the Settecolli results represent the health of a national program that has invested in youth development and international training partnerships. The performances of swimmers like Curtis, Quadarella, and the emerging talents like Cesarano and Sbaragli demonstrate the benefits of these strategic investments.
Finals and What's Next
Tonight's finals will determine whether Curtis can convert her near-record heat swim into a new Italian standard, and whether Quadarella can cap her weekend with her third gold. The meet concludes today with evening finals broadcast live on Italian sports networks.
For Curtis, the immediate goal is clear: break 24.29 and establish herself as a legitimate medal threat at future championships. For Quadarella, the triple crown caps another exceptional weekend and reinforces her position as Italy's premier distance swimmer.
The Settecolli Trophy has long served as a proving ground for Italian swimmers before they face global competition. This year's edition has delivered on that promise, with record-challenging swims, strong performances, and evidence of depth across multiple events in Italian swimming.
