Tenth French club out of 144 following the elite French swimming championships in Chartres, CN Brest had a happy last week in Eure-et-Loir. The highlight was Inès Delacroix’s third place in the 1,500m freestyle, the club’s only podium. “We are very proud of it. It’s not every day that we manage to have athletes on the podium, agrees Steven Deyres, coach of the tip of Finistère club. That means that we are at the top national level and that we can potentially compete in races at the national level. » The latest medal was that of Laurie Le Hénaff in Limoges, two years ago, 3rd in the 50m breaststroke.
Many records broken
In addition to the precious metal, the club’s athletes also took part in eight A finals, one more than their counterparts from CPB Rennes. And many personal bests fell throughout this week. Like Louann Soulard, 4th in the 200m breaststroke and 6th in the 100m breaststroke who got rid of her best times in both categories. “For the 200m breaststroke, it was my best performance, I improved my time by a second, which is huge,” says the 21-year-old swimmer. In the 100m breaststroke, I also improved my personal best by a few tenths. »
But also Brittany records with those of Claire Bourse in 100 and 200 m backstroke. Simon Meubry achieved the best performance in the regional 200m freestyle in his age category (17 years old). Former Brestois Yann Le Goff, who left for Rennes in September 2022, also distinguished himself by finishing 2nd in the 200m freestyle, synonymous with qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Flat for Orlane Hita and Léan Cabon
A shower of records for the Brest club in “an Olympic year which is always the one where we swim the fastest”, would like to point out the coach who also praises the collective in an individual sport. “It’s not an individual performance but rather that of a team. » Louann Soulard also agrees when speaking about her club: “Our strength is that we know that the whole team supports us and encourages us. On the starting block and at each breaststroke, I heard them encouraging me, it gives me strength.”
If overall, these French championships are successful, the downside remains the non-qualification of Orlane Hita and Léan Cabon for the 200m freestyle relay. “Unfortunately, the step was too high,” admits the coach. Obviously it was hard, we had to remobilize ourselves. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy task. Maybe they were caught up in what was at stake. » The false note of the beautiful Brest score.
