Canoe Sprint athletes got a taste of the historic Idroscalo Regatta Course — the venue for the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Championships in August — last weekend.
A test event named Milan International Race that served as an ideal warm-up before the first ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup in Szeged from May 16 to 18 saw Dutch, Italian and New Zealand paddlers among others win medals.
Selma Konjin of the Netherlands led the charge in the women's kayak single 500m final.
The Paris 2024 Olympian was 0.22 faster than second-placed Aimee Fisher of New Zealand in 1:52.39. The third place went to home athlete Lucrezia Zironi.
In the men's K1 500m, Italians bagged two podium spots, starting with Francesco Lanciotti. The 22-year-old crossed the line in 1:39.00, with Timon Maurer of Austria taking second spot in 1:40.5.51 and bronze going to Tommaso Freschi in 1:41.89.
Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist and home favourite Carlo Tacchini was the fastest in the men's canoe single 500m as Italians registered a clean sweep.
He was 0.41 faster than compatriot Mattia Alfonsi in 1:49.52 and 0.49 faster than third-placed two-time world champion Nicolae Craciun in 1:51.60.
The women's C1 500m also saw Italians dominate as Olympia Della Giustina got the better of teammates Elena Voltan and Virginia Maria Matarese.
Giustina, who has a World Championships bronze medal from 2023, clocked 2:11.80 for the win.
European and world medallist Samuele Burgo stole the show in the men's kayak single 1000m, adding to Italian glory.
His timing of 3:43.35 was 0.9 faster than silver medallist Andrea Schera, with Maurer getting the bronze.
View this post on Instagram
In the men's canoe single 1000m, Tacchini underlined his prowess ahead of the season, beating his younger teammate and canoe double 500m partner Gabriele Casadei by 0.6.
Samuele Veglianti ensured another all-Italian podium by getting the bronze in 4:12.61.
Alyssa Marchetto and Margherita Valerosi ensured the women's kayak double 500m title went to the hosts with silver also going to Italy thanks to Erika Ballarin and Marta de Battisti.
The Swiss pairing of Dina Hanni and Ladina Amherd prevented another Italian one-two-three by bagging the bronze.
Paracanoe action also took place in Milan, with Austrian Martin Martinov Dobrev standing out with two titles.
He bagged the men's KL3 and VL3 titles. In the former, he fended off competition from Italians Riccardo Novella and Cristian Piazza.
The VL3 final saw Dobrev cruise past home athletes Andrea Bruno and Mirko Nikoli.
Related links
