Sacha Velly set a French 1500 record and Beryl Gastaldello made it six titles as the French Elite Championships came to an end in Angers.
Velly, winner of world and European junior open water titles in 2024, pulled away from Damien Joly on the second half of the race to stop the clock at 14:19.11.
With that, he cut 0.51 from Joly’s 14:19.62 standard en-route to silver at the 2022 short-course worlds in Melbourne. It falls just outside the top 30 performances in history and elevates him to third in the rankings.
It was well within the cut for the short-course worlds in Beijing next month with Joly also punching his ticket in 14:26.29. David Aubry was also inside the QT in 14:31.90 but only two swimmers per nation qualify for an individual event.
“I never thought I would beat my first French record in the short course because it was my weak point for a long time,” Velly said through the French Federation. “I spoke with Denis Auguin (FFN technical director) and Florian Bruzzo (national water polo coach) before the race and I told them that after my 14:45 in the long course we could consider taking 25 or 30 seconds off. We were talking about it with a laugh with Thomas (Javaux, his coach). To make history in French swimming by being ahead of Damien and David, who have long been the best in the middle distance in France, is huge. Thomas took me to the next level in the pool and it’s also for him this French record.”
Gastaldello has had a medal-laden meet highlighted by a French 100 back record of 55.66 amid five titles over the first three days in Angers. The 31-year-old returned to the pool for the final time on Sunday for the 100IM where she enjoyed a clear win in 57.85 to add a sixth event to her programme. Giulia Rossi-Bene was second in 59.44 which was 0.30 off the cut.
Maxime Grousset had won four golds and silver by the time he lined up for the 100 free which he led from the outset to win in 45.51, well within the Beijing QT. Paul Mervant-Dufy was second in 46.88 with Clement Secchi – already on his way to China – third in 46.90.
Pauline Mahieu turned 100 back silver into 200 gold following a tussle with Jeanne Lechevalier. Mahieu always had the edge and came home in 2:04.01 to 2:04.18 with the younger woman setting an age group record as she booked a spot on the team. Lou-Ann Guiton was third in 2:07.16.
Lysander Osman won the men’s 50/100 back double with a 22.77 victory in the shorter race. Lucien Vergnes missed the cut by 0.09 in 23.31.
Mewen Tomac won the 200IM in 1:54.70 and Pierre Goudeneche took the 50 breast in 26.49. Lilou Ressencourt finished her meet with the 100 fly title (57.91) with Lou-Ann Gaudaire taking the 400 free in 4:07.03.