Beryl Gastaldello’s National Record, Sizzling Men’s 100 Free Spark Day 4 At French Nationals

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

France is in line to put up a very strong quartet to defend its world title this summer in the men’s 400 free relay, based on the top four finishes at the French long course nationals today in Limoges. While the 100 free is an annual highlight for France, a national record in the women’s 50 backstroke likely stole the show.

Beryl Gastaldello was the record breaker in question, taking the 50 backstroke title with a 28.10 to break Laure Manaudou’s French record of 28.50 from 2007. The time is good enough for sixth in the world for the Texas A&M freshman. Also under Manadou’s record was Mathilde Cini with a 28.42, while Camille Gheorghiu was also in the running with a 28.64 for third. In fourth was Justine Ress, a standout for Indiana University, with a 28.97.

The top five in the 100 free all broke 49 seconds, led by a 48.50 from Jeremy Stravius to mark his first 100 free national title against a very talented field. Fabien Gilot set the pace for the field, splitting 22.77 at 50 meters to put himself in position to possibly post the first 47-second 100 free of the year. But the pace was too quick for Gilot, and the field began to reel him with 15 meters to go. Stroking furiously was Stravius, who overtook Gilot in the final stroke to relegate Gilot to second with a 48.53. Both will swim the 100 free at worlds in Kazan, and it will be the first time Stravius represents France at worlds in the individual 100 free. Both Frenchmen sit third and fourth in the world at this point, though that could change once the Australians hit the water at their nationals this weekend.

Stravius and Gilot were two key legs for France in winning the 400 free relay world title in 2013, and they will be reunited with Yannick Agnel for the title defense. Agnel was fourth in the 100 free final with a 48.68, just behind the 48.58 by Clement Mignon. Agnel and Mignon are now fifth and sixth globally. Mehdy Metella also broke 49 with a 48.94 for sixth place after a 48.92 in prelims.

Florent Manaudou, who was a part of the world championship relay in 2013, scratched from the 100 free, presumably to conserve for Sunday’s 50 freestyle. Since he is already a part of the world championship roster thanks to a win in the 50 butterfly on Tuesday, Manaudou might still find himself on the relay in Kazan at the world championships, depending on the decision of officials and coaches.

The session started with the women’s 800 free, where Sharon Van Rouwendaal had a three-second lead over the field at 400 meters. At 600 meters, that advantage had dwindled to just one second over Coralie Balmy, and the crowd started to get into the race. Balmy overtook Van Rouwendaal – the reigning 10K European champion – at 650 meters and never looked back to win in 8:31.10 to Van Rouwendaal’s 8:38.75. Balmy now finds herself in a tie for ninth in the world with China’s Yuhan Zhang, while Van Rouwendaal is just outside the top 20.

France still has some work to do in the men’s 200 butterfly, and Jordan Coelho continued to lead that charge with a 1:57.99 to win today. It’s still more than three seconds off the French record of 1:54.62 by the great Franck Esposito from 2002, and a second slower than Coelho swam at last year’s nationals. He falls just shy of the FINA “A” qualifying time for worlds (1:57.37), but could gain selection for worlds as the sole representative for France in the event. Also breaking two minutes tonight was Paul Lemaire with a 1:58.50 for seconds, as well as Marvin Maisonnueve (1:59.42) and Thomas Vilaceca (1:59.69) in third and fourth.

Fanny Deberghes dipped under the FINA “A” standard in winning the women’s 200 breaststroke with a 2:28.08, just four hundredths under the cut. Lara Grangeon came roaring back in the final 50 meters and almost caught Deberghes, but settled for second with a 2:28.34. That’s a bit slower than the FINA “A” standard, which means she won’t be able to swim the event in Kazan. Also under 2:30 tonight was Adeline Martin with a 2:29.33 for third.

2015 French Long Course Nationals, Day Four – Results

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use