ANGERS, France, November 16. FOR the second straight day, a world record has fallen at the French short course nationals, this time at the hands of Camille Muffat in the 800 freestyle.
Muffat posted a remarkable 8:01.06 in the event, shattering Alessia Filippi's standard of 8:04.53 from the 2008 European championships. Muffat used a blazing fast opening 100 to keep herself under world record pace, despite falling below Filippi's 100-meter splits twice:
Muffat's splits, by 100s:
57.34, 1:01.05, 1:01.21, 1:01.25, 1:00.52, 1:00.41, 59.75, 59.53
Filippi's splits, by 100s:
59.82, 1:01.48, 1:01.25, 1:00.81, 1:01.04, 1:00.62, 1:00.49, 59.02
Filippi previously held the European record, while Coralie Balmy was the former owner of the French national record with an 8:05.32.
The swim gave the Nice swim team in France two world records in as many days, with Yannick Agnel dipping under the 400 free standard on Thursday.
Placing second in the race was Denmark's Lotte Friis, who is a well-known distance star in her own right, but was 25 meters behind Muffat with an 8:16.91. Third place went to France's Coralie Balmy with an 8:20.54.
Agnel had a respectable swim in the 100 freestyle to back up his 400 free world record from yesterday, winning with a 46.68. William Meynard was second in 47.40, and Mehdy Metella placed third in 47.64. Earlier in the day during the slower-seeded heats, Agnel posted a European and French record in the 800 free, posting a 7:29.17 that beat the European record of 7:31.18 by Italy's Federico Colbertado and the national record of 7:39.96 by Sebastien Rouault. Second overall in the 800 free went to Anthony Pannier with a 7:40.09. Damien Joly took third with a 7:50.80.
And one day after breaking the national record in the 200 IM, Jeremy Stravius was at it again in the 400 IM, swimming a 4:06.85 that breaks Pierre Henri's 11-year-old record of 4:09.03. Arnaud Rondan almost dipped under Henri's record as well, placing second with a 4:10.07. Third place went to Sebastien Rouault with a 4:10.96.
Laure Manaudou won her second title of the meet, taking the 100 IM with a 1:00.55. She was not too far off the national record of 59.98 by Sophie de Ronchi. Charlotte Bonnett was second with a 1:00.61, and De Ronchio placed third in 1:01.91.
Benjamin Stasiulis won the men's 50 back with a time of 23.91, just ahead of Dorian Gandin's 23.99. Jordan Coelho was third with a 24.66.
In the women's 50 butterfly, Melanie Henique took the national title with a 26.02. Second place went to Anna Santamans with a 26.44, and Diane Bui Duyet placed third with a 26.75.
Fanny Lecluyse took the women's 200 breast title in a time of 2:24.03, with Fanny Babou claiming second with a 2:26.44. Coralie Dobral placed third in 2:27.96.