French Long Course Nationals: Camille Lacourt Impressive in Sprint Backstroke

STRASBOURG, France, March 27. CAMILLE Lacourt sprinted to another world-leading time in the backstroke as the French long course nationals concluded today with more fast swimming.

Lacourt chased Liam Tancock's world record of 24.04 in the 50 backstroke with a winning time of 24.36, the ninth-fastest performance in history. Lacourt had already been ranked at the top of the 2011 world standings in the non-Olympic event with a 24.80 from earlier this month. The time puts Lacourt further ahead of Randall Bal's second-ranked time of 24.83 from January and Tancock's 24.95 from the British nationals. Jeremy Stravius was second in the race with a 25.19 to keep him fifth in the world and barely improve on his previous best of 25.20. Coming in third was Benjamin Stasiulis with a 25.74.

Inge Dekker of the Netherlands also earned a spot at the top of the world rankings with a time of 25.57 in the women's 50 butterfly. That put her ahead of Sarah Sjostrom's 25.67 from earlier this month and vaulted Dekker from her previous rank of third with her 25.92 earlier this month in Amsterdam. Touching second in the race was Melanie Henique with a 26.19 and rounding out the podium was Angela Tavernier with a 26.76.

Camille Muffat won the women's 400 freestyle in 4:05.70, which ranks third in the world behind swims by Rebecca Adlington and Jazz Carlin. Finishing second was Coralie Balmy in 4:09.28. Rounding out the podium was Ophelie-Cyrielle Etienne with a third-place time of 4:11.93.

Sebastien Rouault swept the distance freestyles with a win in the 1500, touching the wall in 15:07.10. The time is third in the world behind performances by Ous Mellouli and David Davies. Previously, Rouault was ranked 15th in the world with a 15:26.21 from earlier in the month. Touching second in the race today was Damien Joly with a 15:17.32, and Sebastien Fraysse was third in 15:25.04.

Femke Heemskerk took the women's 50 backstroke in 28.26, ranking her third in the world. Mathilde Cini finished second with a 29.03, and Cloe Credeville was third with a 29.21.

Fred Bousquet won the final individual event of the meet, the men's 50 butterfly, with a 23.60. The time puts him second in the world behind a 23.28 effort by Australia's Geoff Huegill. Finishing second in the race was Florent Manaudou with a 23.66, now making him third-fastest in the worl. Manaudou is the younger brother of Olympic champion – and mother to Bousquet's daughter – Laure Manaudou. Third place went to Amaury Leveaux in 23.95, the seventh-fastest in the world this year.

In relay action, the Olympic Nice Natation women's team won the 400 medley relay in 4:09.15. The Massy Natation team took second in 4:11.02 and Nanterre was third in 4:17.34.

Marseilles went 1-2 in the men's 400 medley relay with times of 3:37.54 and 3:39.63. Notably, Lacourt swam a 53.16 in the 100 backstroke for the winning Marseilles team. Finishing third in the race was Dauphins Toulouse with a 3:44.09.

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