Italian training partners Rachele Bruni and Arianna Bridi will be the best of rivals in Glasgow 2018 Open Water Swimming
Rachele Bruni and Arianna Bridi have come a long way together and now they are both going for glory at Glasgow 2018.
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Eight-time European Open Water Swimming Champion Rachele Bruni used to be an idol of Italian countrywoman Arianna Bridi. Now they are training partners, friends and the best of rivals.
The duo begin their Glasgow 2018 European Championships campaign in the women’s 5km at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park on Wednesday.
Bruni is one of the biggest names in the sport in her country, after winning the silver medal in the 10km event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She was also the first Italian to win the World Cup Series (now called the World Series), managing the feat in 2015 and 2016.
Last year it was Bridi who emerged the victor in the World Cup and who finished with bronze medals in the 10km and 25km at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, to add to her third place in the 10km at the 2016 European Championships in Hoorn, Netherlands.
"It's easy and difficult at the same time," Bruni said. "We support each other because the many kilometres we need to swim are not easy. Together they are lighter."
Bridi was outstanding during the 2017 World Cup, finishing on the podium six times and showing that she can be a major threat.
"Winning the World Cup means a lot to me and winning after Rachele is special because some years ago she was my sporting idol. She is still one of my favourite swimmers and now I compete with her," Bridi said.
The pair are coached by Fabrizio Antonelli (ITA), who says they are completely different.
"Arianna is a phenomenon in training," Antonelli said. "She expects a lot from herself and wants to dominate each session. She is young, strong and very clever.
"Rachele is more relaxed and sometimes it is hard for me to get what I want from her. Maybe she doesn't like to push hard in training but she is a great competitor and you can always be sure she will push 110 per cent in the races."
