Sprint in Genoa: a strong start with good results and national ambitions
The first two rounds of the Coppa Italia Sprint took place in Genoa on March 29 and 30, 2025, offering a valuable opportunity for athletes to test the terrain that will host the 2026 World Orienteering Championships.
The opening stage was held in the urban setting of Arenzano, finishing in the picturesque Park of Villa Sauli. Standout performances for Park World Tour Italia came from Celeste Nike Pretto, who secured an excellent 2nd place in the W18 category, and Pierantonio Pretto, who climbed to the third step of the podium in M55.
The second stage, on Sunday, March 30, was held in the historic park of Villa Duchessa di Galliera in Voltri—a location already familiar to orienteering enthusiasts, having hosted the 2024 Sprint World Cup, where Mattia Debertolis finished 10th.
This year’s courses were set in a park environment with multilevel elements. Guenda Zaffanella stood out, claiming the first seasonal victory in WE for PWT Italia and finishing 4th overall (+0:44). “Physically I felt strong, although I made a few technical mistakes due to rushing,” Guenda said. “The MOC Camp and winter training camps helped a lot. Competing with international athletes gave me huge motivation. Now I’m aiming for the EOC in Belgium this August.”
A solid performance also came from Jessica Lucchetta, who finished 7th overall and 3rd in the Coppa Italia standings thanks to her consistency. In the men’s race, Fabio Amadesi delivered the best team result, placing 3rd in ME and 9th overall at +2:33: “On Saturday I was overwhelmed with anxiety, but on Sunday I reset and I’m satisfied,” Fabio explained. “I’m targeting the EOC, but above all, I want to have fun and keep improving.” Also noteworthy was Pierantonio Pretto’s victory in M55.
Also worth mentioning is Marco Anselmo di Stefano’s performance: he was delivering a strong run in the second race but was unfortunately forced to withdraw after losing his SI-card, which was ripped off by a branch.
This opening event proved to be a valuable test for the beginning of the season, with the next national competitions scheduled from April 25 to 27 in Calabria: the Coppa Italia Long and the Italian Middle Championships—titles currently held by Mattia Debertolis and Jessica Lucchetta.
Inderst in Sweden: rhythm, motivation, and international goals
Meanwhile, Sebastian Inderst continues his winter training in Sweden. His weekend was packed with two events: Saturday’s Måsenstafetten, part of the Stafettligan relay circuit, and a regional middle race on Sunday, in Nävekvarn, near Nyköping. “I was a bit tired during the middle after Saturday’s race, but I still managed to run a stable race at a good pace, finishing close to athletes who used to beat me regularly last season,” said Sebastian. “I’m feeling really motivated: the winter went well, and I’ve made a big step forward. If I can stay injury-free, it could be a very exciting season. The goals I set back in November now feel within reach.” His current form confirms his progress and ambition heading into 2025.
Orienteering on TV: MOC featured on Rai Italia with Jessica Lucchetta
Lastly, a major media appearance for the team: PWT Italia and MOC 2025 were featured on the television program Paparazzi, hosted by Filippo Solibello and Marco Ardemagni, which aired on March 26 on Rai Italia. On this occasion, Jessica Lucchetta shared her experience from the MOC, which took place in Basilicata from March 17 to 27. It was a valuable opportunity to promote orienteering and showcase the dynamic and growing Italian orienteering movement to an international audience.
