French Long Course Nationals: Plenty of Fast Times on Offer, Fred Bousquet Blazes 50 Fly

SAINT RAPHAEL, France, April 13. THE French Long Course Nationals produced some swift times this evening during the first day of competition.

Fred Bousquet posted the second fastest time in the world this year in the men's 50 fly with a winning effort of 23.58, tying Roland Schoeman's effort in the South African Long Course Nationals this week. He moved ahead of Albert Subirats' time of 23.66 from last month. Geoff Huegill (23.46) is the only person faster this year. Fabien Gilot finished second in 23.92, while Francois Heersbrandt earned third in 23.97.

Coralie Balmy earned the women's 400 free title with a 4:06.87 to open the evening. That swim moved her into sixth in the world this year behind the likes of Kylie Palmer (4:06.36) and Jazmin Carlin (4:06.41). Camille Muffat finished second in 4:08.26, while Ophelie-Cyrielle Etienne placed third in 4:09.09.

Melanie Henique won the women's 50 fly title in 26.36, improving to sixth in the world this year. Angela Tavernier placed second in 27.14, while Aurore Mongel finished third in 27.21.

Sophie De Ronchi topped the women's 50 breast in 32.41, while Fanny Babou (32.49) and Andrea Baudry (32.65) completed the top three. Sebastien Rouault won the men's 400 free in 3:48.57, while Ahmed Mathlouthi finished second in 3:48.68. Both are among the top five in the world this year. Yannick Agnel placed third in 3:49.83.

Camille Lacourt led the semifinal round with a 53.83 in the men's 100 back after posting the top-qualifying time of 53.35 in prelims. Lacourt's prelim effort is fourth in the world this year behind Liam Tancock (52.85), Matt Grevers (53.05) and Ryosuke Irie (53.32). Joris Hustache (55.17) and Pierre Roger (55.34) finished second and third in finals.

Alexianne Castel topped the women's 200 back semifinal in 2:10.46 to jump into ninth in the world this year. Alexandra Putra (2:11.59) and Cloe Credeville (2:11.63) provided the next two fastest times in the semis.

Hugues Duboscq posted the fastest semifinal time in the men's 100 breast with a 1:00.94, but actually went faster during prelims with a sterling 1:00.61. His prelim effort made him the second fastest in the world this year behind only Brenton Rickard's 1:00.19. Giacomo Perez Dortona qualified second in 1:01.73.

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