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Paralympic stars Shine at Sardinia Open Water Cup 2025
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Alghero, Sardinia – Paralympic champions made waves at the Sardinia 2025 Open Water Cup, held on a sunny Saturday morning.Xenia Palazzo and Federico bicelli of Italy celebrated golden debuts, while Sweden’s pernilla Lindberg continued her reign in the open water para-swimming event.
Lindberg’s Continued Dominance
Pernilla Lindberg (S14) secured her third consecutive gold in the women’s 3km S11-S14 race, clocking in at 36:36.0. This victory solidifies her position as the only athlete to ever win this particular event. Lindberg expressed her satisfaction with the win and the overall experience in Alghero.
Did You Know? Open water swimming became an official Paralympic sport at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Italian Champions Emerge
Italy celebrated the prosperous open water debuts of Paralympic champions Xenia Francesca Palazzo (S8), who won gold in the women’s race, and Federico Bicelli (S7), who clinched a thrilling victory in the men’s 3km S7-S10 race. Bicelli described his first experience in the sea as a “pleasant surprise” and expressed interest in pursuing open water races professionally.
Bicelli narrowly edged out his fellow countryman, Alberto Amodeo (S8), who
