Open Water Cup: Golden debuts for Italy's Paris 2024 stars as Lindberg extends reign

An action-packed Saturday morning in Sardinia, Italy marked the third edition of the Sardinia 2025 Open Water Cup, as Paralympic champions Xenia Palazzo and Federico Bicelli made their golden debuts, while Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg continued her dominance.

Lindberg (S14) clinched her third consecutive gold in the women’s 3km S11-S14 race, with a timing of 36:36.0 to defend her title and remain the only athlete to have ever won this event.

“It was nice and funny to take my third victory and even if there were not many competitors the swimming felt good. I had a feeling that my swimming was fast, and it was nice experience to visit the beautiful Alghero. The arrangement is on a very level as usual and I’m looking forward to come back next time,” the Swedish swimmer said.

From the pool to the sea! 🌊

🇮🇹 Italian Paralympians Alberto Amodeo, Xenia Francisca Palazzo, and Federico Bicelli are some of the stars to keep an eye on at the Sardinia 2025 Open Water Cup.

📆 21 June
📍 Sardinia, Italy

📲 Stay tuned! #ParaSwimming #OpenWater pic.twitter.com/RXa4NSoRNW

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) June 19, 2025

Champions in pool and sea

The hosts Italy witnessed their most recent Paralympic champions to successfully debut in the open water race, with Italian national anthem, Inno di Mameli, being played at Alghero’s most beach Lido San Giovanni famous.

Almost one year after clinching his first Paralympic gold medal, Federico Bicelli (S7) delivered the most thrilling moment of the competition edging out a close win in the men’s 3km S7-S10 race.

“It was really nice to win the first experience ever in the sea, I had never done a race in an environment other than the pool, so it was a pleasant surprise. I will definitely continue to do open water races. I think it could be interesting also to continue to do it in a more professional way in the future and also do training in the sea,” Bicelli said.

Bicelli’s countrywoman Xenia Francesca Palazzo (S8) collected the gold in the women’s race. 

Competing in the Open Water Cup will play an important role in their preparation for the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships – Singapore 2025 which will take place from 21 to 27 September. pic.twitter.com/EUXWf62qnS

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) June 20, 2025

Finland on the top

Equaling the hosts, Finland topped the podium twice at the Sardinia 2025 Open Water Cup. First, in the men’s 1,5km S3-S6 race, Henrik Krogius (S5) defeated the current title holder, Venezuela’s Ivanosky Jose Marichal (S6), to become the new champion of the event.

Krogiu’s teammate, Paralympian Nader Khalili took home a gold medal in the men’s 3km S11-S14 race.

“I enjoyed so much. I love swimming and meeting all these lovely people. I hope that there will be more open water competitions. Sardinia is beautiful and the competitions in Italy are always so good,” Khalili said.

You can watch the competition again here.

Check out the full results of the Sardinia 2025 Open Water Cup:

Men’s 1,5km S3-S6:

1. Henrik Krogius (S5) FIN
2. Ivanosky Jose Marichal (S6) VEN

Women’s 3km S7-S10:

1. Xenia Francesca Palazzo (S8) ITA
2. Almudena Quereda Rodriguez (S8) ESP
3. Margherita Sorini (S9) ITA

Men’s 3km S7-S10:

1. Federico Bicelli (S7) ITA
2. Alberto Amodeo (S8) ITA
3. Sam de Visser (S9) BEL

Women’s 3km S11-S14:

1. Pernilla Lindberg (S14) SWE
2. Maddison hinds (S14) AUS

Men’s 3km S11-S14:

1. Nader Khalili (S14) FIN