Aurelie Muller Defends 10k Title, France Now 2-For-2 In Open Water

2017 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

After a big win from Marc-Antoine Olivier in the men’s 5k on Saturday, the French did it again on Sunday as Aurelie Muller defended her title in winning the women’s 10k.

Muller won the World title in 2015, and then was disqualified last summer in Rio after initially finishing in the silver medal position. There was no controversy this time, as she won by over three seconds in 2:00:13.70.

Ecuador’s Samantha Arevalo made a big improvement to win the silver medal in 2:00:17.00. She was 12th in Kazan and 9th at the Olympics, and now adds a second major medal to her trophy case after winning bronze at the Pan Ams in 2015.

Incredibly, the race for bronze garnered a tie, as Italy’s Arianna Bridi and Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha registered identical times of 2:00:17.20. Bridi didn’t compete in the 10k in either Kazan or Rio, but did win bronze in the event at the 2016 European Championships. Like Muller, Cunha equals her result from two years ago with the bronze medal.

The more experienced Italian, Rachele Bruni, finished 5th in 2:00:21.40. Bruni was 4th in Kazan, silver in Rio, and tied with Muller for the European title last year. American Haley Anderson was 6th (2:00:25.90).

TOP 10

  1. Aurelie Muller, FRA, 2:00:13.70
  2. Samantha Arevalo, ECU, 2:00:17.00
  3. (T-3) Arianna Bridi, ITA, 2:00:17.20
  4. (T-3) Ana Marcela Cunha, BRA, 2:00:17.20
  5. Rachele Bruni, ITA, 2:00:21.40
  6. Haley Anderson, USA, 2:00:25.90
  7. Finnia Wunram, GER, 2:00:26.10
  8. Anna Olasz, HUN, 2:00:28.40
  9. Chelsea Gubecka, AUS, 2:00:30.00
  10. Ashley Twichell, USA, 2:00:41.30

American Ashley Twichell, who dominated the 10k at U.S. Nationals in May, finished 10th. Surprisingly, Olympic champ and 2015 silver medalist Sharon van Rouwendaal found herself over 1:40 off the pace, placing 16th in 2:01:55.50. van Rouwendaal was near the front for most of the race, sitting in 2nd about an hour and 20 minutes in, but fell off the pace at the end.

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Jorge
6 years ago

Congratulations to Olivier, Muller and Philippe Lucas, coach of both in Narbone, Southern France. He is also the coach of Van Rouwendaal, at least before Rio.

S L
Reply to  Jorge
6 years ago

Yes a well-known figure in France !

bobo gigi
Reply to  Jorge
6 years ago

He trains in Montpellier now. And is still the coach of SVR.

Jorge
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Exactly Bobo, thanks.

Dee
Reply to  Jorge
6 years ago

Did he have Femke for a while too?

G.I.N.A
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Does he have Polina Egorova ? . I noticed her in a meet in France ( about Feb ) swimmiing the 800 & 1500 in one session . For some reason I thought that would only be Lucas team!

Dee
Reply to  G.I.N.A
6 years ago

Anna & Valeriya Egorova are at Montpellier, where Bobo said Lucas is now. Think you mean Anna? Polina is very much a 50-200 kinda girl and I’m not sure she trains in France.

G.I.N.A
Reply to  Dee
6 years ago

Thanks . As a backstroker she wouldn’t go wrong with Lucas but I’m still impressed with that 800/1500 double . It’s the idea behind it where a swimmer says – wow that’s cool I’ll try that .

Dee
6 years ago

Are France focussing on OW? Seems odd… So much talent in the lake, so little in the pool… What’s going on over there?

S L
Reply to  Dee
6 years ago

Just the end of a beautiful era in the pool. There is actually no swimming tradition in France, unlike some other european countries such as Hungary or the Netherlands. We’ll see what the future has in store…

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  S L
6 years ago

French swimmers have been often in finals since at least 1988( Stephane Carron 100 freestyler) …so there is a tradition but they seem to be stuck in a huge pit …..

S L
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
6 years ago

True for men but not too much for women. Only Laure Manaudou and Camille Muffat have had really distinguished careers in the sport.

Dee
Reply to  S L
6 years ago

Figues? Maracineanu? Metella? Even Alena Popchanka was pretty reliable for a final, after switching from BLR.

Perhaps not the 2008-2012 boom, but France had a few world & Olympic medallists (and Champs) on the female side. Looks really bare at the minute. Even in 2004, France had 3 female freestyle medallists (Metella, Figues & Manaudou).

S L
Reply to  Dee
6 years ago

I know but that didn’t last very long. That’s why I said I felt we lacked this sense of tradition that is carried through decades. Still you’re right, all the swimmers you mentioned have had great results.
I guess consistency is not part of our DNA

ellie
6 years ago

Bobo must be happy about this one.

bobo gigi
Reply to  ellie
6 years ago

I don’t know anything about open water but yes, it’s cool. Let’s enjoy these moments. It will be less funny in the pool for French swimming. Congrats to Aurélie for her perseverance after Rio and to her famous coach. Lucas’ magic again.

Human Ambition
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Logan Fontaine was great.

SLAB
6 years ago

Well, at least France is winning in Open Water … You won’t see that in the pool.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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