European Short-Course, Day 6 Prelims: Anastasia Kirpichnikova Eyes Freestyle Treble In Otopeni

Anastasia Kirpichnikova: Photo courtesy: Patrick B. Kraemer / MAGICPBK

European Short-Course, Day 6 Prelims: Anastasia Kirpichnikova Eyes Freestyle Treble

Anastasia Kirpichnikova booked lane four in the 400 free final as she looks to complete the freestyle treble at the European Short-Course Championships in Otopeni.

Just 0.75 separated the top six qualifiers in the men’s 400IM while France led the mixed 4×50 medley relay with a quartet that featured Florent Manaudou on breaststroke.

Great Britain go into the final session in Otopeni atop the medal table with eight golds, six silvers and four bronze medals ahead of France (six golds, seven silvers and five bronze) and the Netherlands (five golds and four bronze medals).

The last session at the Aquatics Complex of Otopeni will be fast and furious with 11 titles to be decided.

Men’s 400IM

Thomas Jansen led the way in 4:08.31, 0.01 ahead of 200IM champion Duncan Scott (4:08.32).

Also through was Alberto Razzetti, second in the 200IM and 200 fly in Otopeni.

Tom Dean and Noe Ponti, who completed an historic butterfly clean sweep on Saturday, were among those to withdraw with the Swiss swimmer having won a swimoff for the final place in the 100IM final.

Women’s 400 Free

Kirpichnikova has dominated the women’s distance freestyle in Otopeni with commanding victories in the 800 and 1500, the latter in a 15:20.12 French record.

She finished in top spot in 4:02.77 and is in pole position to complete the double treble having won a trio of titles at Kazan 2021.

Simona Quadarella, the Italian who won 8 and 15 silver behind Kirpichnikova, booked lane five in 4:02.82.

Mixed 4×50 Medley Relay

France were led off by Stanislas Huille in 23.74 with Florent Manaudou on breaststroke (26.04) and backstroke specialists on the last two legs.

Mary-Ambre Moluh, who won 100 back bronze, split 25.55 on the fly with Analia Pigree, third in the 50 back, anchoring the quartet in 23.71 for lane four in 1:39.04.

The Netherlands – featuring double backstroke champion Kira Toussaint and 100 breaststroke gold medallist Arno Kamminga – booked the adjacent lane 1:39.18 with Germany next through in 1:39.22.

Italy claimed the eighth and final spot in 1:40.61.

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