I can beat Sun Yang in the 1,500m freestyle final, says Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri
Italian ace will 'just stay in front and never look back' as he aims to upset China's superstar in the world championships longest race
Gregorio Paltrinieri’s strategy to dethrone Sun Yang during the longest race in the pool is simple: gain a big lead on the Chinese superstar and never look back.
The Italian’s main concern for the marathon-like 1,500-metre freestyle final on Sunday at the swimming world championships is how big of a lead he needs entering the final two laps.
“To be sure, two or three seconds,” Paltrinieri said. “That’s my tactic: start strong and see if the others can keep up.”
He needs six seconds. It’s better to be sure and not have a heart attack
Stefano Morini, Paltrinieri’s coach, would rather not cut it so close. He’s aware of Sun’s superior sprinting prowess at the end of the 30-lap event.
“He needs six seconds,” Morini said. “It’s better to be sure and not have a heart attack.”
The tactic worked in Saturday morning’s prelims, which Paltrinieri led in 14 minutes, 51.04 seconds. Swimming in the same heat, Connor Jaeger of the U.S. was second in 14:53.34 and Sun touched third in 14:55.11.
“I did what I wanted to do without pushing too much,” said Paltrinieri, whose frenetic style comes in sharp contrast to Sun’s longer, controlled and more efficient strokes.
Paltrinieri’s confidence got a boost after hanging with Sun for most of the 800 free earlier this week. The Italian was ahead at the 700-meter mark until Sun surged in front on the final two laps.