Last weekend the agonistic season in Italy has finally begun. After the forced stop due to the Pandemic and a snowy winter all around the country, Italy gets back in the river on Vara, that hosts nearly 150 rafters in Brugnato, in the province of La Spezia, Liguria.
Para-rafting athletes were also there, some of them experienced the rapids for the first time, while others were already looking at Durance river, training for the World Champs.
RX and Downriver tested the athletes, that will earn their spot in the national teams during the official selection in May and June, but are already paddling for it.
Letizia Lauri, Elodie Lumignon, Gaia Mascarello and Carlotta Scalvino, competing as Rafting Aventure Villeneuve, won the female category with 200 points. Second place for Adda Viva Indomita Valtellina River with 180 and bronze to Sesia Rafting/Centrosportavventura with 160 points.
Rafting Aventure Villeneuve
In the male category, a second place in the downriver guaranteed a gold to the RX winners of the Sesia Rafting team: Dario Morandi, Michele Pattoglio, Francesco Regina and Giordy Sarteur scored 192 points, followed by Rafting Team Verona with 188 points and Indomita Valtellina River with 160 points.
Sesia Rafting
With the eyes on France, the teams are focused on the next dates: 2 National Cups and regular agonistic meetings will decide the names that we will see at the World Champs, and all the candidates are training for that spot.
