Gattinoni wins Italian sculling challenge

Better known for his skills in the double, the strong showing of international talent made the win sweeter for Gattinoni in the second edition of the Italian Sculling Challenge.

The race which begins with a mass start on Italy’s Lake Orta, attracted over 180 competitors including Hungary’s former World Champion Akos Haller, Olympic bronze medallist Ivo Yanakiev of Bulgaria and the unstoppable five-time Olympian Vaclav Chalupa of the Czech Republic.

Gattinoni got cleanly away in the mass start leading from the first stroke and won by a handy 33 seconds, for the 6000 metre course, over Germany’s Robert Sens. Lightweight champion for Italy Elia Luini finished third.

Amongst the women Italy’s top single sculler Elisabetta Sancassani finished first in a very close battle that went to a photo finish with fellow Italian Laura Schiavone. Last year’s winner Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus pulled out at the last minute due to an injury. Last year’s men’s winner, Stefano Basalini was also a last-minute withdrawal citing injury.

Gattinoni picked up 700 euro for his first place finish with Sancassani earning 400 euro.

Top 10 results

1. Federico Gattinoni
2. Robert Sens
3. Elia Luini
4. Luca Ghezzi
5. Franco Sancassani
6. Ivo Yanakiev
7. Vaclav Chalupa
8. Akos Haller
9. Jiri Vlcek
10. Luca Agamennoni