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Agnel Matches Biedermann in Genoa

Nov 1, 2010  - Craig Lord

Yannick Agnel, the French teenager who claimed the European 400m freestyle crown in Budapest back in August, has muscled his way into the leading pack over the same distance at the start of his short-course race season.

At the Genoa meet in Italy along the coast from Agnel's base at Nice, where he is coached by Fabrice Pellerin, Gaul's gladiator clocked 3:42:31, equalling the effort of world champion Paul Biedermann (GER) at the Berlin round of the world cup last weekend.

At the helm of this season's ranking, from back in July is Robert Hurley (AUS), on 3:41.58, while a 3:42.02 from Patrick Murphy at the same Aussie s/c nationals gives the Dolphins the top two slots. Expect much faster times by the time Dubai waves farewell when all is said and swum at the world s/c titles next month.

Back in Genoa, Camille Muffat, Agnel's training partner, put in an excellent 4:00.80, best in Europe so far this season, tucked in behind a 3:59.92 for Kylie Palmer at Aussie s/c nationals in July, 4:00.55 for China's Liu Jing last month and efforts of 4:00.64 and 4:00.71 for Aussies on the move Katie Goldman and Blair Evans.

Pellerin's team also includes 15-year-old Charlotte Bonnet, on 56.42 in the 100m free, best for her age in France this season, and Béryl Gastaldello, also 15, on 1:01.87 in the 100m backstroke.

Meanwhile, among others warming up for bigger moments ahead:

Dutch sprinter Marleen Veldhuis, swimming as a mum, is back in the race pool, her first competitive outing, at the Aachen s/c meet in Germany producing efforts of 24.54 and 26.53 over 50m free and 'fly. 

At the Volgograd s/c meet in Russia last weekend, Lagunov won the 50m free in 21.96, Nikita Lobintsov took the 200m free in 1:43.37 and Stanislav Donets the 200m backstroke in 1:53.65.