Manaudou Clocks Quality Time in 400 I.M. at French Championships

TOURS, France, May 12. LAURE Manaudou ventured away from her prime events Thursday, but the Frenchwoman remained dominant at the French Championships. Clocking 4:40.06, Manaudou established a national record in the 400 individual medley, which she won by six seconds over Joanne Andraca (4:46.61) and Cylia Vabre (4:46.80). Manaudou's time was fast enough to make her a player in the event at this summer's European Championships, provided she opts to contest the 400 I.M.

In the women's 100 freestyle, Malia Metella prevailed in 55.23 and wrapped up her sprint double, as she won the 50 free on the first night of competition. Metella was followed by Alena Popchanka, a former standout from Belarus who changed her nationality to French. In the men's version of the race, Amaury Leveaux was first to the wall in 49.18, with Fabien Gilot in second in 49.57. Alain Bernard was third (49.69) and Fred Bousquet, the winner of the 50 free, was fourth (50.08).

The gold medalist in the 800 free from Wednesday night, Nicolas Rostoucher claimed top honors in the men's 400 I.M. with a swim of 4:18.72. Meanwhile, Hugues Duboscq edged Christophe Richard in the men's 200 breast. Duboscq was timed in 2:14.54, ahead of the 2:14.66 of Richard. The women's 200 breast went to Great Britain's Kirsty Balfour in 2:29.43. France's Sophie De Ronchi was second in 2:31.39.

In the 50 backstroke events, Aliaksandra Herasimenia (Belarus) won the female race in 28.87, with Manaudou second in 29.06. For the men, Simon DuFour bested the field with a mark of 25.91, quicker than the 26.16 of Great Britain's Matt Clay.

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