French Long Course Nationals: Yannick Agnel, Albert Subirats, Eric Ress Clock Strong Time

SAINT RAPHAEL, France, April 18. THE French Long Course Nationals came to a conclusion after a week's worth of sterling times.

After setting the French record in the men's 200 free semifinals with a 1:46.35 yesterday, Yannick Agnel was much more conservative in the final, seeming to be happy to just win the event. Agnel clocked a 1:47.52 to beat training partner Clement Lefert for the title. Lefert posted a second-place time of 1:48.36, while Jeremy Stravius finished just behind with a third-place 1:48.47.

Venezuela's Albert Subirats tied Michael Rock for fifth in the world rankings with a winning effort of 52.36 in the men's 100 fly. Fred Bousquet claimed second overall in 53.66, while Romain Sassot placed third in 53.73.

Eric Ress leapfrogged Ashley Delaney into seventh in the world rankings with a 1:58.54 in the men's 200 back. Ress claimed the title by clipping his previous season-best time of 1:58.58 to clear Delaney's 1:58.56 from Australia a month ago. Benjamin Stasiulis finished second tonight in 1:59.73, while Camille Lacourt took third in 2:00.57.

Camille Muffat rose to seventh in the world rankings with a 1:58.17 in the women's 200 free for the win. She moved ahead of Felicity Galvez, who posted a 1:58.23 last month Down Under. Coralie Balmy touched second tonight in 1:58.65, while Mylene Lazare finished third in 2:00.10.

Belarus' Aleksandra Gerasimenya moved into the top 10 in the world rankings with a 25.17 to win the women's 50 free this evening. Hanna Shcherba placed second in 25.61, while Aurore Mongel took third in 25.67.

Lara Grangeon topped the women's 400 IM in 4:44.88. Grainne Murphy of Ireland took second in 4:45.00, while Marie Jugnet completed the top three in 4:52.74. Maxime Bussiere then upset Hugues Duboscq, 28.10 to 28.13, in the men's 50 breast. Malik Fall clocked a 28.14 in an exciting threeway finish.

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