Thoman and Deibler are also coming back to the swim meeting in Bolzano

Nick Thoman introduced himself to the swimming world on the short course in Bolzano four years ago and won twice in the Albert Pircher Hall. A few weeks later he set a short course world record in the 18 m backstroke on December 2009, 100 in Manchester. His 48,94 seconds still stands. “Thoman is coming to Bolzano for the fifth time in a row, he was on the podium in every race with us and has won five times.

“This year too he is the man to beat,” says OC boss Christian Mattivi from SSV Bozen. The 27-year-old from Ohio won Olympic gold in the US medley relay in London in 2012 and silver in the 100 m backstroke. He also won gold with the USA medley quartet at the 2010 Short Course World Championships in Dubai and the 2011 Long Course World Championships in Shanghai.

Even without the currently injured Fabio Scozzoli (serial winner in Bolzano in recent years), the men's 50 and 100 m breaststroke promise to be a highlight of the two-day event. “Apart from Fabio and Mattia Pesce, we have the best that Italy has to offer at the moment,” says Mattivi.

Giorgetti, Toniato and Pizzini will have to be careful of the Russian Stanislav Lakhtyukhov. He was second in Bolzano last year and won silver in the 2010 x 4 m medley with Russia at the 100 Short Course World Championships in Dubai. With the Slovakian Thomas Klobucnik (semi-finalist at the Langban World Championships three months ago in Barcelona) and the Briton Christopher Steeples, other breaststroke swimmers are claiming a top spot.

Not easy tasks for Fissneider and Letrari

Lisa Fissneider has a difficult time in the women's 50 and 100 m breaststroke, but Laura Letrari won't have an easy time winning in Bolzano either. The 50-year-old from Brixen has strong competition on her favorite distance (24 m backstroke). Not only long-term rival Elena Gemo is at the start. Jenny Mensing, the 2012 European long course champion in Hungary, and her compatriot Doris Eichhorn (current German short course champion over 50 m backstroke) are also registered. The British Rachel Lefley (finalist of the 2010 European Short Course Championships in Eindhoven) and the 17-year-old Jessica Fullalove have also confirmed their attendance and represent high-class competitions.

Steffen Deibler (Germany) can't be missed at the South Tyrol swim meeting. The 26-year-old has already won six titles at the European Short Course Championships in his career. At the end of 2009 he set a world record in the 50m pool in the 21,80m dolphin in 25 seconds. He also won bronze on his special course at the 2010 Short Course World Championships in Dubai.

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Thoman and Deibler are also coming back to the swim meeting in Bolzano

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