Florine Gaspard Claims Sprint Double at Euro Meet in Luxembourg

Florine Gaspard Claims Sprint Double at Euro Meet in Luxembourg

Florine Gaspard made two trips to the top of the podium on the second day of the Euro Meet Luxembourg.

The Belgian swimmer edged victory in a tight 50m breaststroke in 31.00, 0.03 ahead of Kara Hanlon (31.03) whose Edinburgh teammate Anna Morgan touched a further 0.02 behind in 31.05 as 0.05 separated the first three women home.

Gaspard, who is coached by Mark Faber in Antwerp, returned to the water 40 minutes later for the 50 free.

She was the only woman to break 25 in the 50 free with a 24.69 victory, 0.31 ahead of Kornelia Fiedkiewicz (25.00) and Welsh youngster Theodora Taylor, the 16-year-old world junior silver medallist clocking 25.25.

Abdelrahman Elaraby enjoyed a clear win in the men’s 50 free in 22.24 ahead of Vincent Hooydonck (22.47) and Matteo Robba (22.58).

Corbeau Continues Winning Ways

Caspar Corbeau continued his fine early-year form with two trips to the podium a week after he swept the breaststroke events at last week’s Geneva International Challenge.

The 50 was first up where Melvin Imoudu took the touch in 27.14 followed by Federico Poggio (27.22) and Corbeau (27.36).

The Netherlands swimmer returned for the 200 breast which was the final event of the evening where he couldn’t be separated from Filip Nowacki at halfway with the pair turning in 1:01.94.

Corbeau pulled away with a 33.40 third 50 and despite Nowacki slightly reducing the deficit on the last length, the Olympic bronze medallist took the win in 2:09.29.

Nowacki, the world and European junior champion, clocked 2:09.96 with clear water separating the pair from Maksym Ovchinnikov in third (2:12.73).

Ellie McCartney came past Tes Schouten on the final 50 to claim the women’s 200 breaststroke. Schouten, amid her return to competition following a lengthy absence because of health issues, led from the off and was 0.07 ahead at the final turn.

A 37.29 last 50 propelled the Irishwoman to the front for a clear victory in 2:26.14. Schouten – a stablemate of Corbeau and Gaspard in Antwerp – was second in 2:28.56 with Imogen Myles of England third in 2:28.59.

Victories for Richards & Colbert

Olympic silver medallist Matt Richards led throughout the 200 free with world junior champion Carlos D’Ambrosio on his toes. The Briton was the only man to break 1:48, coming home in 1:47.23 ahead of D’Ambrosio (1:48.03) and fellow Italian Alessandro Ragaini (1:48.85).

Freya Colbert: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow, Aquatics GB

Freya Colbert dominated the women’s 200 free, increasing her advantage down each 50 to win in 1:57.12. Colbert broke the long-standing British record dating from 2009 when she was fourth at the Singapore worlds in 1:55.06. Leah Tigert was second in 1:59.70 with Sophie Benn third in 2:00.60.

Ciara Schlosshan came from second at halfway to win a closely-fought women’s 100 fly where 0.12 separated the top three. Martine Damborg – 50 fly winner on the opening day – led by 0.35 at the turn, an advantage Schlosshan overturned with a 30.75 second 50 for a 58.34 victory. Helena Rosendahl Bach – winner of the 200 fly in a new meet mark on Friday – was second in 58.42 with Damborg next home in 58.46.

Lewis Fraser won the men’s 100 fly in 52.16, 0.75 ahead of Ihor Troianovskyi (52.91) and Adrian Jaskiewicz (52.98).

Sacha Velly completed the distance double when he headed the fastest heat of the men’s 800 in 8:03.20. Ethan Kelly (8:09.61) and Heorhij Lukashev (8:11.82) were the next home.

Giorgia Tononi headed the fastest heat of the women’s 1500 in 16:45.68, a day after leading the way in the 800. Jamila Boulakbech (16:48.29) and Clemence Coccordano (16:50.89) joined her on the podium.

Michele Lamberti won the men’s 50 back in 25.33 and Varvara Hlushchenko was the only swimmer to break 29secs in the women’s equivalent in 28.77.