Maxime Grousset, Anastasia Kirpichnikova & Mewen Tomac Set National Records At French Short-Course Championships
Maxime Grousset set a national 100 fly record amid two victories on day one of the French Short-Course Championships in Angers.
Anastasia Kirpichnikova and Mewen Tomac also set French standards in the 1500m freestyle and 200m backstroke respectively.
The four-day event serves as qualification for the French team for the European Short-Course Championships in Otopeni, Romania from 5-10 December.
Here’s what unfolded on day one of finals:
Women’s 1500 Free: QT, 16:06.42
Anastasia Kirpichnikova attained French citizenship in April after previously representing Russia and the Russian Olympic Committee at Tokyo 2020.
On Friday she set a national record of 15:33.42, lowering Laure Manaudou’s 2004 standard of 15:42.39, to book a spot on the team with second-placed Lara Grangeon de Villele second in 16:04.41.
Kirpichnikova said:
“I had the goal of beating this French record in the 1500m freestyle, but I hope I will swim faster in Bucharest. It’s just been a month since I returned to training after a good vacation.
“The month of December is going to be busy because there are the qualifications for open water in Funchal on December 2 and then the Euros in Bucharest from the 5th.
“The recovery was a little difficult and it is sometimes mentally tough because the Olympic Games are approaching. I hope to get a medal in Paris but I need to work harder than before and I feel ready.”
Men’s 100m Butterfly: QT, 50.18
Maxime Grousset made it two French records in as many races as he went 49.24 to comfortably book a spot on the team.
Grousset took 0.71 from the previous record of 49.95 that stood to Mehdy Metella since December 2018.
Metella, the Olympic, world and European medallist, was next home in 50.43 although it was 0.25 outside the QT.
Women’s 50m Breaststroke: QT, 30.21
Lucie Vasquez won the title in 31.04 but her time wasn’t enough to secure a place on the French team.
Men’s 400m Freestyle: QT, 3:41.02
Ahmed Jaouadi of Tunisia was the first man home in 3:41.29, 0.13 ahead of Pacome Bricourt whose time of 3:41.42 was outside the selection time.
Women’s 50m Backstroke: QT, 26.60
Pauline Mahieu was 0.03 outside the selection time in 26.63 ahead of Analia Pigree (26.70) and Mary-Ambre Moluh (27.03).
Men’s 200m Backstroke: QT, 1:52.51
Mewen Tomac cut 0.02 from Yohann Ndoye-Brouard’s record set in December 2022 when he touched in 1:49.21.
Ndoye-Brouard was also inside the cut in 1:52.30 with Antoine Herlem third home in 1:53.08.
“I didn’t necessarily expect to beat this French record because we didn’t relax too much and the objective was to win, and to achieve the qualifying time for the European short-course championships.
“I’m surprised and happy, I wanted to let go, race by feeling and that’s what I managed to do. I try to be as consistent as possible in training, to be as strong as possible all the time.”
Women’s 200m Individual Medley: QT, 2:09.61
Charlotte Bonnet was well inside the cut in 2:06.79, 0.09 outside her French record of 2:06.70 set at the 2022 World Short-Course Championships in Melbourne.
Cyrielle Duhamel was second in 2:11.31.
Men’s 100m Individual Medley: QT, 52.51
Grousset claimed his second victory of the evening in 51.99 to book his second swim in the Romanian capital in December.
Jeremy Desplanches, of Switzerland, touched second in 53.73 with Lucien Vergnes the second Frenchman home in 53.80.
Grousset told ffnatation.fr:
“I wanted to do 48 (in the 100 fly) but I’m not yet at the level so I’ll do it in Bucharest.
“I did exactly what I had planned except in the final of the 100m medley where I slipped at the start.
“It’s a shame because I could have set a better time. I have strength but I lack a little freshness and explosiveness.
“I have rarely been so sharp in a French championship. We’re not here for that this year. We are preparing for the Olympic Games. I’m quite satisfied but I’m a little upset because of the 100m medley. This must not happen.”
Women’s 100m Freestyle: QT, 53.19
Beryl Gastaldello was in clear water as she won the 100 free, well within the cut in 52.12.
Marina Jehl (53.33) and Anastasia Urbaniak (53.78) completed the podium.