On the third day of the 2023 European Junior Artistic Swimming Championships, Greece secured its first medals at this competition, a gold in the Duet Free Final. In the Mixed Duet Free Final, the reigning champions of Spain successfully defended their title and brought the country its third gold so far and fourth medal overall.
Greece became European Junior Champion in the Duet Free event for the first time since 2007 thanks to a strong performance by Maria Karapanagiotou and Ifigeneia Krommydaki. The pair had placed second in the preliminary round but managed to clinch the gold tonight with their routine to the theme of “Elves” and a score of 179.6146.
They had declared the highest Degree of Difficulty (DD) of the final with a 36.45, which despite two basemarks, helped them stay ahead of their competitors. Both Karapanagiotou and Krommydaki also recently competed with the senior national team at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka.
Susanna Pedotti and Alessia Macchi of Italy, bronze medallists in 2022, earned silver with a score of 165.1708 for their “Black Panther” choreography. The Italians, who also took part in the World Championships, had finished sixth in the preliminary round.
In the final, they declared the second-highest DD of the field, aiming for 31.00, but unfortunately received three base marks. Nonetheless, their performance still helped them move up the rankings and land right behind the Greek.
Alisa Kulyk and Ameliia Volynska of Ukraine had placed 10th in the preliminary but managed to grab the bronze medal in the final with a score of 160.8500. They had two base marks as well on their “Scramble to Position” routine, but still guaranteed their country their first medal of this competition.
Germany’s Klara Bleyer and Susana Rovner had placed first in the preliminary round, but finished fourth here after scoring 158.8208 with two basemarks.
In the Mixed Duet Free Final, the reigning European Junior Champions Maria Bofill Strub and Dennis Gonzalez Boneu of Spain successfully defended their title in Funchal. The pair scored 168.3021 on their “Angels and Demons” routine and notably received the best artistic impression score of the evening with a 85.0000.
Beatrice Crass and Ranjuo Tomblin of Great Britain, who finished fourth last year, won silver with a 132.2146. The two are fresh off a successful campaign on the senior stage as well, recently placing fifth at the World Championships with this “Alice in Wonderland” choreography.
Ginevra Marchetti and Gabriele Minak of Italy completed the podium, earning bronze with 112.8208 for their “Romeo & Juliet” routine. The pair has only been swimming together since the beginning of the year, but has already competed extensively through the World Cup circuit this season.
The only other mixed pair competing in this final was France’s. Unfortunately, Quentin Rakotomalala and Prune Tapié received six basemarks on their “Ying-Yang” routine, which effectively ended their medal hopes.
The third day of competition in Funchal began with the team free preliminary, in which 11 countries participated. All will move on to final.
After this preliminary round, Greece placed first with a score of 240.8542 for its “Warriors” routine. The teams of Spain and France finished second and third with scores of 238.6000 and 208.4021, respectively. The team free final is scheduled for Sunday, 6 August at 17:00.
The competition continues tomorrow, starting with the Female and Male Solo Free Finals at 9:30. The Acrobatic Routine Final is scheduled for 17:00.
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA MARMET
Photos courtesy of LEN
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