Yannick Agnel returned to France last fall after a year training in the United States with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, looking to return to the level that brought him much acclaim in 2012 and 2013. Whether the move worked or not is still up for debate, based on Agnel’s win today in the 200 freestyle today at the French long course nationals.
Agnel was largely unchallenged in the 200 free final, splitting 50.89 at 100 meters. He fell off that blistering pace in the final 100 meters with splits of 27.50 and 27.58, but his 1:45.97 is good enough to put him at the top of the world rankings, almost a full second of second-ranked James Guy. That is, however, three tenths slower than he swam at last year’s spring nationals under the guidance of Bob Bowman, but seven tenths faster than he swam last summer at the European championships. The benchmark is still the 1:43.14 he swam in London to win Olympic gold.
France will need more than Agnel to challenge this summer at worlds in the 800 free relay. Gregory Mallet, who has been training with the SwimMAC Carolina Elite team, placed a distant second with a 1:47.96, while Clement Mignon was third with a 1:48.29. Mallet’s time puts him 10th in the world so far this year.
The French backstroke duo of Jeremy Stravius and Camille Lacourt will be looking to regain the world title they shared in 2011 – and lost to Matt Grevers in 2013 – after going 1-2 in today’s 100 backstroke final. Stravius posted a 53.46 for the win, while Lacourt was second with a 54.20 after a 53.81 in prelims. The two are ranked third and fourth in the world, with Japan’s Ryosuke Irie’s 53.15 still on top and Grevers second with a 53.27.
A day after placing second in the 100 butterfly, Beryl Gastaldello won the women’s 100 back with a 1:00.54. The Texas A&M standout barely cracks into the top 10 global standings, and gets within a second of Laure Manaudou’s national record of 59.50. Mathilde Cini was the leader after 50 meters, but couldn’t match Gastaldello’s closing speed and finished second with a 1:01.04.
Charlotte Bonnet earned her second title of the meet with a 1:08.34 in the 100 breast. While it does beat the FINA A standard for world championship qualification, Bonnet’s time falls just outside the world top 20 at this point in 2015. Also breaking 1:10 was Fanny Deberghes with a 1:09.60.
Open water star Sharon Van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands also picked up another win, taking the women’s 1500 free with a 16:15.09. More than 20 seconds back was the top French swimmer in the event, Julie Berthier, with a 16:36.04.
Giorgos Michopoulos beast
Με πέρασε ο κοκαλιάρης ρεεεε
Τον εχεις ρε σιγα
Ο φλωρος δεν κολυμπαει μαζι μας πανελληνιο
Michopoulos has more finals in greek nationals than agnel. Haters will say agnel is not greek
RESPECT
Giorgos Michopoulos beast
Με πέρασε ο κοκαλιάρης ρεεεε
Τον εχεις ρε σιγα
Ο φλωρος δεν κολυμπαει μαζι μας πανελληνιο
Michopoulos has more finals in greek nationals than agnel. Haters will say agnel is not greek
RESPECT