Italian
Success for Sara Bongini in the third stage of the World Cup in clay shooting. Third place for Erik Pittini
LONATO DEL GARDA – Italy couldn’t have asked for a better start to the third seasonal stage of the World Cup in shooting taking place in Lonato del Garda, in the province of Brescia. In the skeet, Sara Bongini triumphs, also setting a new world record. In the men’s competition, third place goes to Erik Pittini.
Record-breaking Sara Bongini
A day to remember for Sara Bongini. The Tuscan shooter qualified with the fourth best score (120/125+8) and then went on to win a historic final. All this with a single zero that also gives her the new world record in the final. However, it was not an easy competition, with a shoot-off against the Swedish Victoria Larsson, who also reached a total of 35/36.
However, the blue team is good at closing with a quick +3 to +2, thus taking home the victory. Here are her words at the end of the match:
“I still have to fully realize what happened. I am very happy to have achieved a victory at home; winning in my home country always brings special emotions. On the platform, I was very tense because I was alongside opponents with great experience, some of whom are current Olympic medalists, but I managed to stay focused and complete the competition in the best possible way. This success has a truly special value for me, not only because it is the first I have achieved as a senior, but especially because I want to dedicate it to Christian (the shooter Ghilli who passed away in 2022, ed.), a friend of mine who is unfortunately no longer here. I wanted it, I desired it, and I made it happen.”
Third Pittini
In the men’s competition, Erik Pittini also makes it to the podium, having qualified fifth (124/125+1). In the final, he is perfect (32/32) and thus secures third place in the event won by the American Vincent Hancock (36/36 and a new world record). Second is his compatriot Christian Elliott (35/36).
These are his words: “I am very happy. The fact that this is my second podium of the season, the fourth in my career, in the World Cup is a sign that I am working in the right way. This is a race that, in terms of difficulty, I believe can be compared to the World Championships, and I approached it as if I were competing for a world medal. I absolutely had to make it to the podium. Deep down, I felt ready and prepared to achieve a good result, and that’s how it turned out. These confirmations are helping me to work even better: when I step onto the platform, my goal is always to win, but I am satisfied and motivated for the upcoming international events, which I hope to bring home.”
Photo Credits: FITAV
