The two walking races of the U18 Italian Championships see, as already said during the presentation, a very interesting number of athletes at the start.
3.000m. indoor walk women
The women are divided into two timed sessions.
First timed session
In the first, the one with the slowerest times starts in nine.
There is very little to say.
Ilaria Migliardi (ITA) and Veronica Vinci (ITA) lead the race with an alternating command.
The changeover to 1000m is 5:04.4
The one at 2000m is 10:32.1
Just before the last two laps of the couple is added Angelica Benevieri (ITA).
In the last two laps lengthens Ilaria Migliardi and goes to win in 15: 53.79
Second place to Veronica Vinci (ITA) in 15:56.55
Third place to Angelica Benevieri (ITA) in 15:57.16
Second timed session
The race is headed by Alessia Titone (ITA) who is immediately joined by Martina Casiraghi (ITA).
The two continue with Casiraghi to lead the race.
The passage at 1.000m see in front of the race Martina Casiraghi in 4:44:2.
They continue together until a lap before 2,000m. when Martina Casiraghi force the pace and gains about ten meters.
The split time to 2.000 is 9:29:1
Now the race has nothing more to say. The only data of interest is that of the final performance.
Vicotry to Martina Casiraghi (ITA) in 14:22.85
Second place to Alessia Titone (ITA) in 14:33.89
Third place to Martina Quartararo (ITA) in 15:05.58
5.000m. indoor walk men
This race is also divided into two timed sessions.
First timed session
In the first, the one with the slowerest times starts in 15.
Up to 1.000m are in the lead in three: Mattia Grilli (ITA), Amos Vittori (ITA) and Pietro Micheletti (ITA).
The passage is of 4:38.9
Then Mattia Grilli forces his pace and the race has nothing more to say: it's a solo.
These are his split times:
- 2.000m in 9:28.4
- 3.000m in 14:30:7
- 4.000m in 19:29.3
Vctory to Mattia Grilli (ITA) in 24:18.22
Second place to Francesco Fantozzi (ITA) in 24:45.80
Third place to Gabriele Melisi (ITA) in 24:46.91
The second timed session saw an exciting five-way race.
The five athletes who fought from the first meter were the following: Nicola Lomuscio (ITA), Pietro Pio Notaristefano (ITA), Gamba Gabriele (ITA), Emiliano Brigante (ITA) and Daniele Breda (ITA).
The five have walked in a group until almost five laps to the end of the race (about 3,900m) leaded alternately by Daniele Breda and Nicola Lomuscio.
The split times were:
- 1000m in 4:35.6
- 2.000m in 9:05.0
- 3.000m in 13:33.8
- 4.000m in 18:06.4
When there were five laps to go the episode that solved the race: Daniele Breda finishes with three red cards fot bet knee in the Penalty Area. Honestly we must say that the stop of 30" for the athlete who was third in the group of five in our vision was correct. The sanction, however, in our opinion should not be that of bent knee, but perhaps that of loss of contact. IN any case correct the judges decision.
After two laps and Emiliano Brigante forces the pace decisively and leaves Nicola Lomuscio about ten meters away. The two are charged by red card: Emiliano Brigante (one) and Nicola Lomuscio (two), which should make the two think to pay attention.
The scent of victory prevails though and while Brigante continues in his action, Lomuscio tries to contain himself so as not to lose the silver.
Victory for Emiliano Brigante in 22:09.63 which with this time gets the third place in the world ranking indoor seasonal distance.
Second place to Nicola Lomuscio in 22:18.15
Third place to Pietro Pio Notaristefano in 22:19.52
Gabriele Gamba is more detached (fourth in 22:30.04) and then Daniele Breda who ends after stopping in the Penalty Area of 30" in 22:52.05.
Below the world list updated of first five performances
Short technical comment
The result of the race after the judgment of a jury always finds a certain number of people in favor and as many against.
We are therefore allowed to express our opinion in general for what we have seen.
In girls Martina Casiraghi really liked. Honestly we must say that the red card against her for bent knee seems a bit too much, but we respect it.
Just as we liked Alessia Titone that, like Casiraghi, is the only one to have broken the wall of 15:00.00.
In boys, especially in the second timed session, a little less we liked at least four of the top five athletes.
With an international jury, a progression like the one seen today would certainly have been sanctioned more with easily imaginable consequences.
Rule 163.3 (b)
In the four races that took place, we witnessed the rigorous application of a rule that is often overlooked: Rule 163.3 (b).
The rule states: in all races (or any part of races) not run in lanes, an athletes running on a bend ... shall not step or run on or inside the kerb or line marking the applicable border ...
The rule is clear and also known, but as many as 7 girls (two in the first timed session and five in the second timed session) and 2 boys (one for each timed sessions) have broken it and then were subject to a disqualification.
(photos by Montesano - Fidal)