The small sovereign Principality of Monaco on the French Riviera is the host for the third, and final, stop of the 2012 Mare Nostrum series.
Women’s 200 Free
After absolutely lighting-up the prior stop of the Mare Nostrum in Canet, France with a textile best, all eyes were focused on Cammile Muffat’s 200 free early in the Monaco event. She wasn’t quite as fast, but certainly didn’t disappoint either with a 1:55.21 that breaks the Meet Record. That time now gives her 5 out of the top 8 swims in the world in 2012 as she marches onward to London.
Additionally, the French 800 free relay, with her as the anchor (though more likely leadoff in this day-and-age), is beginning to look very good as well – Muffat’s Olympic Nice teammate Charlotte Bonnet was 2nd in 1:58.28. Canada’s Barbara Jardin took 3rd in 1:58.58.
If swimming had a “regular season” that the general public cared about, Muffat would be the biggest female swimming star in the world. Her ability to be fast so many times in-season won’t necessarily do her any favors at the Games, but it’s thrilling to watch.
Women’s 100 Breaststroke
British-trained 14-year old Ruta Meilutyte continued her impressive run to the top of the sport in her native Lithuania by winning this race in 1:07.96. She had some poor swims after breaking through at British Trials with a National Record, but with this swim (the third-best of her career) she’s back on form. She also was the fastest in the 50 breaststroke quarterfinals in 32.03.
Italy’s Michela Guzzeti in1:08.73. Similarly, that’s the third-best time of her career, and her fastest since the 2010 European Championships. After a down year in 2011 (where she wasn’t faster than a 1:09.5), this marks the beginning of what could be an outstanding summer for her. All of the Italian women are swimming out-of-their-minds this season.
Iceland’s Hrafanhildur Luthersdottir took her second-straight podium in this series with a bronze medal in 1:09.68.
Men’s 100/400 Freestyle
France’s Yannick Agnel took the men’s 100 free in 49.14 – a hair slower than, but still in the same ballpark as, his swim from Canet a few days ago. Canada’s Brent Hayden was consistent through the first two stops in Barcelona and Canet, but fell off of that speed here in Monaco with a 49.37. Russia’s Andrei Grechin was 3rd in 49.51.
Despite deciding to punt on the event as a long-term option, Agnel did swim the 400 free in this meet and was spectacular in 3:46.14. That moves him to 5th in the world this year. His teammate Clement Lefert was 2nd in 3:50.31.
Men’s 200 Fly/200 IM
South Africa’s Chad le Clos, never backing-down from tough doubles, won the men’s 200 fly (1:55.77) on Saturday and then came back shortly after to win the 200 IM in 2:01.02. He dominated both of those races. The runner-up in the 200 fly was a 2:01.45 from Venezuela’s Alexis Marquez Rivas, and the 200 IM silver went to Australia’s Justin James in 2:02.63.
Women’s 50 Free Quarterfinals
Sweden’s Therese Alshammar topped this round of the 50 free in 24.96, which is only her second swim under 25 seconds this year. She’s back in Europe after spending the early part of her year training in Australia.
Other Race Winners
- Canada’s Katerine Savard won the women’s 100 fly in 58.89, just out-touching Britain’s Fran Halsall (58.99). Halsall has had some difficult swims in this series. Finland’s Emilia Pikkarainen was 3rd in 59.16, which just missed by .09 her National Record set in April.
- Australia’s Ben Treffers won the men’s 100 back in 54.65. The UK’s Liam Tancock was 2nd in 55.03, and looked much better than he did in Barcelona. No Camille Lacourt in this stop.
- China’s Ruipeng Xie won the men’s 200 breaststroke in 2:16.45, ahead of Italy’s Flavio Bizzari in 2:16.84.
- Lizzie Simmonds won the women’s 200 backstroke in 2:09.10.
- China’s Xinyi Chen won the men’s 400 IM in 4:43.02.
Regardless of how her taper works out, the fact that Muffat has been 401.1 put her as the absolute favorite for the 400 for me.
My reasons for picking Muffat to win this summer in London has nothing to do with what she did this weekend. I believe her 401.1 at French Trials is the second most impressive swim we’ve seen in 2012. It surpasses all the times swum in a lzr, and the other ladies in field have not shown themselves to have taken their times, or their technique toa level beyond what they showed in Beijing/Rome. Because of this, I believe that even if Muffat does not improve on this time, it will most likely be enough… Read more »
Ok about Allison. I think she is the most dangerous swimmer for Camille in the 200 free. But I repeat Camille has a big advantage. She hasn’t two olympic games to prepare in one month.
Missy has a big potential in the future on freestyle but the gold is for her this year in the 100 back if she’s focused on it. She’s the queen of backstroke and with better underwaters she is unbeatable. And don’t dream too much. I’m not a specialist but I think you can’t beat Ranomi in the 100 free or Camille in the 200 free without a specific freestyle training and almost the same rest. I’m a big fan of Missy but it’s one… Read more »
Except a mental problem with the pressure Camille can’t lose the 200 free and the 400 free at the olympic games. Now she’s full of confidence and she has all the tactics in her hands. She can start very quickly and kill the race or she can finish like nobody else. Only a giant Allison can be close to her. But she will probably have to swim under 1.54 and under 4.00 to beat her.
Muffat negative split her 200 race. She was out in 57.86 and about half a second faster coming home. She is just killing it right now. 27.96 – 57.86 – 1:27.35 – 1:55.21
did you check out camille’s last 50 split? many elite men would love for that split on the last 50!
chad had a good double considering the warm down facilities at monaco aren’t the best
27.86 is a crazy last split in the 200
It looks like Muffat keeps experimenting with how she race
Does anyone know when the Paris Open is this year?
Agnel was also 3:46.14 today. Yknow, if can do that sort of time while doing 49low and 145mids, I have no doubt that he is definitely still capable of 343/342s. He’s really giving up a free bronze medal in that event for an outside shot at a medal in the 100. Sure, it’ll help out France’s relay, but I can’t help think that we’re underestimating what kind of damage he knows he can do in the 100.
John, Paris Open will be 6-7 of July.
http://www.openedf.com/accueil-edf-natation/competition/presentation-604333.html