Loughborough-Trained Marie Wattel Downs French National Record In SCM 100 Free

2019 FRENCH SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • Thursday, December 12th – Sunday, December 15th
  • Piscine Jean Boin, Angers, France
  • SCM
  • Live Results

While competing on day 1 of the 2019 French Short Course Championships, 22-year-old Marie Wattel established a new national record in the women’s 100m freestyle.

After taking the 2nd seed out of the heats with a morning swim of 53.11 behind Charlotte Bonnet‘s leading AM effort of 52.80, Wattel busted out the quickest short course time of her career to ultimately take the A final in a mark of 51.45.

Her time not only scorched the field in the only sub-52 second result, but it also overwrote the previous French national record of 51.65 the aforementioned Bonnet set at the 2017 European Short Course Championships, placing her 4th.

Splits for Wattel’s impressive 51.45 feat tonight include 24.82/26.63 to outperform the previous NR’s splits of 25.01/26.64, as well as blast away Wattel’s previous personal best of 52.25, also from Copenhagen. In fact, Wattel’s time would have taken the gold in Glasgow just last week at the 2019 European Short Course Championships, beating British gold medalist Freya Anderson’s 51.49 podium-topper.

Of her new 51.45 record this evening, Wattel stated post-race, “I’m really happy. This morning, I was not happy and not very confident after my race; I arrived a little stressed tonight before the final.

“When I saw that I was in front of Charlotte [Bonnet], it gave me confidence for the end of the race. I managed to free myself tonight.”

Bonnet touched in 52.04 for silver in the race tonight in Angers.

Wattel’s performance now checks the Loughborough-trained French woman into slot #9, tied with Canada’s Kayla Sanchez, on the all-time performers’ list in the SCM 100 free.

50.25 Cate Campbell AUS 2017 Hancock Prospecting Short 10/26/2017 Adelaide
50.58 Sarah Sjoestroem SWE 2017 World Cup – Eindhoven 8/11/2017 Eindhoven
50.95 Ranomi Kromowidjojo NED 2017 European SCM Champs 12/15/2017 Copenhagen
51.01 Libby Trickett AUS 1/1/2010
51.02 Emma McKeon AUS 10/27/2019 Budapest
51.19 Fran Halsall GBR FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup 2009 11/22/2009 Singapore
51.29 Femke Heemskerk NED 2018 World Cup – Singapore 11/17/2018 Singapore
51.35 Inge Dekker NED 12/11/2009 Istanbul
51.45 Kayla Sanchez & Marie Wattel CAN/FRA SE Winter Championships (25m) 2018/2019 French Nationals

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Wow
4 years ago

Does she train with Marshall or Hemmings

Jeff
Reply to  Wow
4 years ago

Neither. She trains under Ian Hulme who also trains Jocelyn Ulyett.

Jeff
4 years ago

Great sign heading into ISL finals. Looking good for London Roar’s women’s relays now they have the top 3 times in the world in the 100 free.

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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