From historic World Records to breakthrough victories and outstanding performances from some of the sport's biggest names, the opening days of the competition have once again demonstrated why Lonato remains one of the most prestigious stops on the ISSF World Cup circuit.
Here are five key takeaways from the first half of the competition.
1. The standard in skeet continues to reach new heights
If there was one defining feature of the opening days in Lonato, it was the exceptional quality of shooting.
Three World Records were established across the two Skeet finals. In the women's event, Sara Bongini of Italy and Victoria Larsson of Sweden both set a new World Record of 35 hits, with Bongini prevailing in a dramatic shoot-off to secure her first ISSF World Cup gold medal.
Just hours later, Vincent Hancock of the United States raised the bar even further in the Skeet Men final, producing a flawless performance of 36 out of 36 to establish another World Record and add yet another remarkable achievement to his legendary career.
If there was one defining feature of the opening days in Lonato, it was the exceptional quality of shooting.
Three World Records were established across the two Skeet finals. In the women's event, Sara Bongini of Italy and Victoria Larsson of Sweden both set a new World Record of 35 hits, with Bongini prevailing in a dramatic shoot-off to secure her first ISSF World Cup gold medal.
Just hours later, Vincent Hancock of the United States raised the bar even further in the Skeet Men final, producing a flawless performance of 36 out of 36 to establish another World Record and add yet another remarkable achievement to his legendary career.
2. Home advantage has inspired the Italian team
Competing in front of enthusiastic home supporters, the Italian athletes have made their presence felt throughout the opening week.
Bongini's memorable victory was one of the highlights of the competition, while Erik Pittini claimed bronze in the Skeet Men event and Olympic champion Gabriele Rossetti once again reached the final. The strong performances underline Italy's depth in shotgun disciplines ahead of the season's biggest competitions.
Competing in front of enthusiastic home supporters, the Italian athletes have made their presence felt throughout the opening week.
Bongini's memorable victory was one of the highlights of the competition, while Erik Pittini claimed bronze in the Skeet Men event and Olympic champion Gabriele Rossetti once again reached the final. The strong performances underline Italy's depth in shotgun disciplines ahead of the season's biggest competitions.
3. Experience and youth continue to share the podium
Lonato has showcased the perfect blend of established champions and emerging talent.
Hancock once again demonstrated why he remains one of the greatest athletes in shooting sport history, while Christian Elliott confirmed the strength of the new generation by completing a USA one-two in the Skeet Men final.
On the women's side, Bongini captured her maiden ISSF World Cup title, while Larsson continued her rise among the world's leading skeet shooters with a World Record performance of her own.
Lonato has showcased the perfect blend of established champions and emerging talent.
Hancock once again demonstrated why he remains one of the greatest athletes in shooting sport history, while Christian Elliott confirmed the strength of the new generation by completing a USA one-two in the Skeet Men final.
On the women's side, Bongini captured her maiden ISSF World Cup title, while Larsson continued her rise among the world's leading skeet shooters with a World Record performance of her own.
4. Lonato remains one of the sport's iconic venues
With more than 600 athletes representing 81 nations, Lonato is once again the largest Shotgun World Cup of the season.
The competition has delivered packed spectator areas, outstanding competition conditions and another successful ISSF Media Session, bringing together athletes, organisers and federation leadership to discuss the continued development of shooting sport and the road towards the ISSF World Championships in Doha.
With more than 600 athletes representing 81 nations, Lonato is once again the largest Shotgun World Cup of the season.
The competition has delivered packed spectator areas, outstanding competition conditions and another successful ISSF Media Session, bringing together athletes, organisers and federation leadership to discuss the continued development of shooting sport and the road towards the ISSF World Championships in Doha.
5. The spotlight now turns to Trap
Following the conclusion of the Skeet programme, attention now shifts to the Trap events, with official pre-event training taking place today at Trap Concaverde.
The world's best trap athletes will begin their campaigns tomorrow, with medals to be decided over the coming days before the ISSF World Cup moves towards its conclusion. With the level already demonstrated during the Skeet competitions, expectations are high for another thrilling chapter in Lonato before the international season continues towards the ISSF World Championships in Doha, where the first Olympic quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be awarded.
Following the conclusion of the Skeet programme, attention now shifts to the Trap events, with official pre-event training taking place today at Trap Concaverde.
The world's best trap athletes will begin their campaigns tomorrow, with medals to be decided over the coming days before the ISSF World Cup moves towards its conclusion. With the level already demonstrated during the Skeet competitions, expectations are high for another thrilling chapter in Lonato before the international season continues towards the ISSF World Championships in Doha, where the first Olympic quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be awarded.
Lonato by Numbers:
81 nations
600+ athletes
3 World Records
2 new World Cup champions
1 ISSF Media Session broadcast live worldwide