Kirpichnikova Becomes Russia’s New 1500 Freestyle Record Holder

2020 FRENCH ELITE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Visiting Russian swimmer Anastasia Kirpichnikova already produced a new national record in the 800m free at these French Elite Championships, but the 20-year-old was at it again on the penultimate night of competition.

Contesting the women’s 1500m free, Kirpichnikova fired off a big-time outing of 15:53.18 to not only establish a lifetime best but to become the first Russian woman ever under 16:00 in the event.

Entering these French Elite Championships, Kirpichnikova’s personal best in this grueling pool event rested at the 16:16.04 logged last year in April. Tonight, however, the open water ace obliterated the previous Russian record of 16:13.13 that’s been in the books since Regina Sych swam it in 2003. I repeat, the record has been in place for 17 years.

Splits for Kirpichnikova’s impressive swim here are below, with her 15:53.18 situating her just outside of the top 10 performers all-time in the event.

The emerging freestyle star raced this event at the 2019 FINA World Championsihps in Gwangju, but mustered just a time of 16:27.59 to place 15th out of the heats.

As mentioned Kirpichnikova already earned a new national standard here in  Saint-Raphaël in the women’s 800m freestyle en route to gold earlier in the meet. Touching in 8:22.65, she not only beat the field by well over 7 seconds, but she knocked over 5 seconds off of her own previous PB with her victory.

The Russian is becoming quite the freestyle ace, having already nabbed the French Open Water Championships gold earlier this season. We reported how she is now hoping to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in both the pool and open water swimming.

Kirpichnikova’s magic formula appears to be the fact she trains with Philippe Lucas, former coach of Laure Manaudou, Sharon van Rouwendaal and Amaury Leveaux.

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Coach Mike 1952
3 years ago

Seems she nearly even split the race too, nice!

Corn Pop
Reply to  Coach Mike 1952
3 years ago

A Janet Evans template swim .

Corn Pop
3 years ago

She seems perfect for Lucas.

swimfan_00
3 years ago

Seriuous contender for a medl in tokyo

Fred DEFOIS
3 years ago

Penultimate means there are 2 days left…actually tmrw is the last…😉🏊

Retta
Reply to  Fred DEFOIS
3 years ago

Negative. Penultimate means – ‘second to last’, which is correct as tomorrow is the last finals session.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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