Cool Swim Meeting: Angiolini and Caribé shape the anniversary edition

The Cool Swim Meeting 2026 concluded its tenth edition with a resounding sporting triumph. The anniversary event in Merano saw a level of technical skill never before achieved.

June 21, 2026

From: pm/mv

The Cool Swim Meeting 2026 in Merano concluded on Sunday. A total of twelve event records fell over the weekend, and €9.950 in prize money was awarded. Among the standout athletes of the weekend were Lisa Angiolini and Guilherme Caribé, who once again dominated the final day.

The strongest individual performances according to FINA points were delivered by Simone Cerasuolo and Lisa Angiolini. World champion Cerasuolo already shone on Saturday in the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 26,78 seconds, while the Italian European vice-champion Angiolini impressed with her 1:06,99 minutes in the 100-meter breaststroke.

Caribé secures fourth victory

To cap off the meet, Angiolini completed her triple victory in the breaststroke events. After wins in the 50 and 100 meters, the Virtus Buonconvento swimmer also won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:27,79 minutes. However, after a total of seven races in three days, including the Australian final on Friday evening, the strain was clearly evident. She missed the meet record by about half a second. Second place went to Clarissa Savoldi (2:30,28), and third to Vanessa Gurieri (2:31,06).

Guilherme Caribé in action in the pool. © Federica Muccichini / Federica Muccichini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

For Brazilian Guilherme Caribé, the meet went almost perfectly. After his victories in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle and the 50 meter butterfly, he also secured the win in the 100 meter butterfly on Sunday. His time of 52,56 seconds left Francesco Michele Cavallotti (55,11) and Pietro Guarise (55,19) clearly behind, thus celebrating his fourth gold medal win within three days.

Roncatto sets only record on Sunday

Gabrielle Roncatto set the only event record of the final day. The Brazilian won the 800-meter freestyle in 8:46,16 minutes after a thrilling duel with Mahila Spennato, who finished in 8:47,16. The two athletes had already battled closely in the 1.500-meter freestyle on Saturday. Maria Paula Heitmann finished third in 8:53,85 minutes.

Brazil also took the victory in the men's 800-meter freestyle. Guilherme Costa prevailed in 8:10,16 minutes, ahead of Ivan Sartor (8:11,75) and Giuseppe Marco Sinagra (8:21,65).

Lisa Angiolini won the 200m breaststroke. © Federica Muccichini / Federica Muccichini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

The 4x50-meter freestyle relays brought the meeting to a close. In the women's event, Team Veneto narrowly edged out Team Toscana and Virtus Buonconvento with a time of 1:45,28. Aqua Alpha triumphed in the men's competition, finishing in 1:33,58, ahead of Team Veneto and Team Friuli.

Organizers draw a positive conclusion

Even away from the pool, the anniversary edition was a resounding success. Organizing committee president Walter Taranto was highly satisfied: “We are very pleased with how the tenth edition of the meet went, which boasted an exceptionally high technical standard. The live broadcast on Rai channels once again allowed us to bring Merano into the living rooms of all Italians. We owe the fact that everything ran so smoothly to our sponsors, the institutions, and the 146 volunteers who contributed during these three days.”

Cool Swim Meeting 2026, all winners from Sunday

200m breaststroke
Andrea Prapugicu
Lisa Angiolini

800m freestyle
Guilherme Costa
Gabrielle Roncatto

100 m backstroke
Richard Stocchetti
Chiara Rotunno

200 m medley
Biagio Aldrighetti
Clarissa Savoldi

100m butterfly
Guilherme Caribé
Roberta Piano del Balzo

4x50m freestyle relay
Aqua Alpha
Team Veneto

Keywords Watersports swimming cool swim meeting Merano