Rhythmic gymnastics, archery and sailing take centre stage in March. Leading Airman Elisa Santoni, Leading Airman Elisa Blanchi, Senior Airman Daniela Masseroni and Senior Airman Anzhelika Savrayuk competed in the first two rounds of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, finishing on the podium every time: in Kalamata (Greece), from 26 to 28 March, they won the all-around competition with 53.975 points, which was the result of two splendid performances in the ‘ribbons and ropes’ event, where they claimed the gold medal with 26.625 points, and in the ‘five hoops’ event, where they took the silver medal with 27.350 behind Belarus (27.375 points).
The reigning world champions therefore improved upon their seasonal debut two weeks prior in Portimão (Portugal), where they had finished second in the all-around competition with 53.400 points, the result of two silver medals in the apparatus finals: 26.850 with the hoops and 26.550 with the ribbons and ropes respectively, behind Russia (53.900 points) and ahead of Belarus (5.700 points). The next fixture for the Italian rhythmic gymnastics team is the European Championships, taking place in Bremen (Germany) from 13 to 18 April. Speaking of the European Championships, but this time in archery and indoor competition, a great success was achieved at the premier continental event, held in Poreč, Croatia, from 16 to 20 March, by the archers of the Italian Air Force Sports Centre—yet another triumph in an archery-Air Force partnership that seems more successful than ever.
Leading Aircraftman Michele Frangilli claimed second place in the individual event and led the team and his teammate, Leading Aircraftman Marco Galiazzo, to the top step of the podium in the team event.
In the women's event, Leading Airwoman Maria Pia Lionetti and Leading Airwoman Elena Tonetta, after a final decided on the very last arrow, clinched a prestigious silver medal in the team event.
In the youth category, there was also the excellent performance of Leading Airman Luca Melotto, who, with the junior team, won the bronze medal by finishing third in the team event. In Bahrain, from 13 to 22 March, the CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) World Sailing Championships took place, and representing the Air Force on the Italian crew was First Class Warrant Officer Giancarlo Simeoli. Thanks also to his contribution, the Italian team achieved a historic success; the Azzurri team, having reached the final against Russia after a series of excellent performances, managed to capitalise on all the opponents' mistakes and all the day's weather conditions, crossing the finish line with a lead of about three boat lengths.
