The Antigone swimming pool in Montpellier will host the French short course swimming championships starting this Thursday morning. Until Sunday, the headliners of French swimming will be present, including sprinter Anna Santamans.
After the European Championships in Berlin last summer, the Nice-born swimmer would like to retain her title in the 50m freestyle, to make it onto other podiums, and to properly prepare for the World Championships in Doha (December 3-7).
Interview.
Nice Premium: How did you handle the transition after the European Championships in Berlin (August 16-22)?
Anna Santamans: The races in Berlin, the way to prepare them, gave me more experience. I think I have improved in my approach to races, in mental preparation, and everything surrounding the competition.
N.P.: What do the French short course championships represent?
A.S.: It’s not the goal of the year, but it’s important to get back into the swing of high-level competitions. The French championship remains a great competition with challenging races. It’s a smaller goal in the middle of the season.
N.P.: Where are you in terms of preparation?
A.S.: I’m still in the recovery phase. It’s only been two months since I returned from vacation; it’s not a long period. In winter, I’m not very performant in training, but it doesn’t mean I swim slower in competition.
N.P: What will the objectives be for the end of this week in Montpellier?
A.S.: I would like to retain my title in the 50m freestyle because I’m on a streak of seven consecutive victories in both long and short courses. Additionally, I want to make it onto as many podiums as possible and improve my best times. I will take anything positive and any progress, even at these French championships. I have the World Championships in two weeks, so if I don’t perform exceptionally well at the end of this week, it won’t be too serious. I have a high-level competition right after to show what I’m capable of.
N.P: You are in the selection for the World Championships in Doha (December 3-7), what will you be aiming for in a high-level mid-season competition?
A.S.: I haven’t set specific goals for the World Championships yet; I’m waiting to see how I perform in Montpellier to refine what I want to achieve there. In short course, I have much fewer reference points than in long course. Last year, we mostly swam in long course, as well as trained in it. That’s where I’m at my best. As for short course, we’ll see how it goes depending on the competition and what I’m capable of.
Interview by Clément Bigois
Photo credit: Anna Santamans’ official Facebook
