Italy’s CVI dresses in the color of the sun. Starting April 4, with the first mild warmth of spring, and under the best auspices, the first of the two Italian CVIs took place, the now traditional Easter event. The renowned Club Ippico Monzese in Villasanta (MB), beautifully decorated in golden yellow, welcomed athletes from all over Europe, as well as some from the United States and Argentina.
As tradition dictates, competitions were structured with Thursday and Friday morning entirely dedicated to the 1* event which, as every year, crowned several participants and allowed them to advance to the 2* competition.
Although the number of participants was slightly lower than last year, the quality was certainly not lacking. In particular, the top category, the 3*, saw a higher-than-ever number of teams and pas de deux, all of an extremely high level. The competition was thrilling.
1* event opens the games
A great celebration for Emma Mascolo (ITA, V. Tomei, Ducati), who won the Children 1* individual competition for the first time. In the contest among young athletes, consistency made the difference. The compulsory round did not create much separation; at their conclusion, the competition was still wide open, with at least the top five positions very close together. Indeed, several changes occurred between the first day standings and the final ranking.
Second place went to Lani Maren Daepp (SUI, D. Marty, Jackpot AA), who had been fifth after the compulsories but made a strong comeback, finishing just behind Emma, who also delivered the second-best freestyle. Adele Ruth Wiessel (GER, L. Ratzlaff, Samor), thanks especially to an excellent compulsory performance, secured third place.
Among slightly older competitors in the Junior 1* category, greater maturity was evident, especially in the freestyle routines, which often scored above 7. The women’s podium consisted of Joya Stettler (SUI, V. Steiger, Kalimo), the most consistent overall, followed by Thea Rethmann (GER, M. Arcori, Elias 75) and Maria Cattani (ITA, A. Cavallaro, Calimero), who climbed one position after the compulsories to secure a podium finish.
In the men’s competition, Valerio Mizzoni (ITA, N. Vidoni, No Limit) prevailed over fellow Italian Marco Ottonello (ITA, I. Magnani, Star Walker). The senior category, though less populated, still featured commendable athletes. Eleonora Casali (ITA, M. Callegari, Isvan James VDL) won in the women’s division, followed by Michaela Fuchs (AUT, M. Callegari, Nova), while Davide Vitaly Vertua (ITA, I. Magnani, Star Walker) delivered an impressive performance in the men’s field.
Also in the 1* category, two Swiss pas de deux pairs competed. The duo of Alina Fitze and Lia Osterwalder (SUI, A. Stump, Zidane) took first place, followed by Shanaya Feitknecht and Mailin Schenk (SUI, T. Kauer, Karamboli HCW).
The 1* overview concludes with the Italian team, composed by Maria Cattani, Giacomo Parente, Alice Tien Di Gleria, Mattia Giora, Camilla Marchetti, and Ludovica Muraro (ITA, N. Vidoni, No Limit), that delivered a strong performance.
The higher categories begin
From Friday afternoon, the competition intensified with the entry of higher-category athletes, mainly engaged in compulsories and, for pas de deux, the first freestyle round. Even at this early stage, many high-quality routines were seen.
Saturday was the key day, long and demanding for everyone. Junior individuals competed for a place in the finals, Young Vaulters and Senior 3* individuals faced the challenging technical test, and pas de deux performed their decisive second freestyle. Tension was high, though final results were determined the following day.
The demanding 2* category
A pleasant surprise for Maya Matteini (ITA, M. Callegari, Nova), who earned a well-deserved gold medal in the Children 2* category, maintaining her lead from start to finish. Adele Ruth Wiessel (GER, L. Ratzlaff, Samor), who qualified through her excellent 1* performance, took second place, followed by Sina Houggati (GER, S. Kersten, Di Lorenzo).
In Junior 2*, the most competitive category, only 15 athletes advanced to the final round. Fanny Seidl (AUT, L. Carnabuci, Rosenstolz 99) delivered an outstanding performance, dominating the field and even earning a perfect 10 in artistic score, an exceptional achievement. Jennifer Reichert (GER, L. Ratzlaff, Samor) secured silver, and Alyssia Bessire (SUI, V. Steiger, Kalimo) took third.
In the men’s field Jan Stellahaegi (ITA, N. Vidoni, Calimero) confirms himself as an extremely talented element. He definitely pairs well with Fanny Seidl, he also got a fabulous 10 in the artistic score! Tommaso Comi (ITA, A. Cavallaro, Robert Redford 55) also gave an excellent performance, as he too proved to be a very good interpreter, as well as a technically solid athlete. Damian Schaller‘s competition was also positive (SUI, S. Nyffenegger, Miss Callas DMH).
Lena Bachbauer (AUT, R. Bachbauer, Levi’s Style) dominated the senior category, followed by Jana Bärtschi (SUI, P. Taillez, Maquillio Van De Oudemolen) and Silvia Damasco (ITA, V. Tomei, Ducati). Filippo Garbinetto (ITA, C. Petersohn, Dorian) also finishes the competition.
The pas de deux competition featured varied and technically complex routines. Lena Nyffenegger and Lea Maeder (SUI, S. Nyffenegger, C Limited Edition) claimed victory, ahead of Julia Hasse and Lara Scherer (AUT, S. Frauenschuh, Aragorn Elmar XV), and the Italian pair Lucia Mescalchin and Alessandra Tietto (ITA, C. Petersohn, Dorian).
The team competition was closely contested among six teams. The Italian team formed by da Matilde Resente, Diletta Caldart, Aurora Zuanel, Tommaso Comi, Elisabetta Cattani, Jan Stellahaegi (ITA, N. Vidoni, Robert Redford 5), triumphed over two strong German teams, the first one formed by Jennifer Reichert, Tamina Kittler, Aurelie Richter, Emma Gille, Anni Mittmeier, Amari Satamaria Diaz (GER, P. Wagner, Samba’sArgument Von Ka), and the other by Sina Houggati, Lotta Seibold, Lilli Seibold, Wilma Rabe, Ida Idiart, Oliver Nettesheim (GER, F. Kersten, Dailamo). The first two teams in particular, showed very high standards in the various trials.
In the Young Vaulters category, the final outcome was far from predictable. Clara Ludwiczek  (AUT, K. Haidacher, Lavalino) ultimately prevailed, followed by Sarah Liersch (GER, A. Hartl, Dennis D) and Anna Chiara Rzehorska (AUT, K. Haidacher, Lavalino). In the men’s field, Felix Dombacher distinguished himself competing on Lavalino longed by K. Haidecher, and Isvan James VDL led by Michela Callegari.
3*: vaulting at the highest level
Expectations were high for the top category, and they were fully met. In the individual competition, all podium scores exceeded 8. Alice Layher (GER, D. Zembrot, FBW Candy) delivered near-perfect performances to claim victory. Kimberly Palmer (USA, L. Carnabuci, Rosestolz 99) and Rebecca Greggio (ITA, C. Petersohn, Orlando Tancredi) also impressed with high-level routines.
In pas de deux, Rebecca Greggio eDavide Zanella (ITA, C. Petersohn, Orlando Tancredi) dominated with a powerful and technically demanding freestyle. The Austrian duo Sarah Gollubics e Georg Gabl (AUT, K. Gabl, Diomedes 26) impressed as well, followed by Germany’s Veronica Frey e Laura Lutz (GER, M. Spitzhirn, Rocco 467).
Finally, in the team competition, the Italian team formed by Rebecca Greggio, Giovanni Bertolaso, Alice Dal Paos, Sofia Crippa, Eva Carraro, Davide Zanella (ITA, L. Carnabuci, Fran D’alme C Z) excelled and secured victory. While still refining their compulsory routines, they demonstrated maturity in freestyle. The Austrian team formed by Georg Gabl, Lena Bachbauer, Sarah Gollubics, Nina Bachbauer, Sophie Pittl, Dominik Eder (AUT, M. Seyrling, Fuerst D) and the German one formed by Laura Seemãoeller, Ronja Altmann, Josephina Hindelang, Nike Charlotte Römer, Verena Pongratz, Julian Wilfing (GER, N. Nickolai, Levin 38) also delivered strong performances to complete the podium.
Full results are available here.
