For the first competition of 2016, the Golden Tour Camille Muffat, Fabrice Pellerin’s group delivered good performances. Bonnet claimed victory twice, with strong times. Wattel and Santamans had a positive weekend.
The countdown is on. Rio is less than 7 months away. The ticket to Copacabana went through this weekend’s home stage before Amiens (February 5-7) and Marseille (March 4-6), all in preparation for the French Championships in Montpellier (March 29 to April 3), which are qualifiers for the Olympic Games.
As always, the first competition serves to string races together, regardless of the strokes. Depending on the groups (Nice, Marseille, Amiens, Antibes), the states of form differ according to the work rate, whether focused on endurance or strength training, or both. Some appeared fresh, while others were very fatigued. The next stages and certain intermediate meets will provide a clearer idea of the actual performances.
Bonnet, 4 podiums and 2 victories
Charlotte Bonnet earned four podium finishes, including two victories in the 50m breaststroke (32″16, which is 3 tenths better than the 2015 meet) and the 100m freestyle (54″62 versus 54″96 in 2015). Note also her second place in the 400m freestyle (in 4’15″88) behind Coralie Balmy and another second place in the 200m freestyle behind Katinka “Iron Lady” Hosszu with a time of 1’57″73 (against 1’59″62 in 2015). A very positive weekend compared to the previous year for the leading star of Fabrice Pellerin’s group and also of French swimming.
Santamans, queen of the 50m
In the sprint, Anna Santamans shone. Her achievement: a victory in the 50m freestyle in 25″02 ahead of Mélanie Hénique and the Greek Drakou. Maxime Leutenegger’s student improved her 2015 time (in Nice) by nearly 5 tenths. She also finished third in the 50m butterfly in 26″68, which is one second better than at the previous meet. The Nice native also took third place in the 100m freestyle in 55″77. Despite fatigue due to a training camp in the United States, Anna Santamans delivered an impressive performance.
Consistency according to Wattel
Marie Wattel swam 11 times during this meet, with one podium finish, a 3rd place in her preferred distance, the 100m butterfly. The young Nice native posted a time of 59″47 in a competitive final with the presence of a Greek and a Canadian swimmer. Also noteworthy is her fourth place in the 50m butterfly final and a fifth time in the 200m butterfly. Marie Wattel reached the finals in the 50m backstroke (8th) and the 50m freestyle (7th). She only missed the final in the 100m freestyle (10th time in the heats).
Three A finals and one B final for the youngest, Cloé Hache, with two sixth-place finishes in the 100 and 200m freestyle (56″44 and 2’01″50).
Photo credit: KMSP / S.Kempinaire / French Swimming Federation
