Faced with competition from big clubs, like the Cercle des nageurs de Brest or the Cercle Paul-Bert de Rennes, small clubs, like the Cercle des nageurs Saint-Brieuc, are trying to stay on the surface. With the hope of hatching a nugget, which could inspire other young locals in order to fuel the club’s reservoir. “We are faced with the problem of studies. After the baccalaureate, it becomes complicated to keep swimmers who aspire to go to the high level, either in Brest or in Rennes. It’s an eternal start again, we have to train other swimmers.” And, Cyril Gautier, the Briochin coach, knows what he is talking about. Pablo Le Corre, his brother Yvan and even Louis Picoche and Lou-Ann Gaudaire, all trained at the Aquabaie swimming pool, have left to continue their training elsewhere.
Quid d’Alwena Gautier
The question now arises for Alwena Gautier, Cyril’s daughter, who, after a sprained knee, returned to action with five regional titles in short course, on December 7 and 8, in Douarnenez. “I won the 100m freestyle, where I once again went under the one-minute mark, then the 50 and 200m freestyle, as well as the 50 and 100m backstroke,” explains Briochine. This season, I’m going up a notch, I’m going from 5 to 7 hours of training to a 13-hour week. It’s no longer the same pace. »
A choice that turns out to be a necessity to move forward. “This is the price to help her progress,” says her father. Although in Saint-Brieuc there is a rising wave, Alwena is the only one at this level of performance. What we’re missing is internal competition, where swimmers are beating each other up. Our methods have nothing to envy of those of other structures. Everyone knows, at their level, that only training intensities can guarantee the hope of good results. »
The “France” juniors in April
Alwena Gautier, who will celebrate her 16th birthday in a few months, will be set this weekend, with a full-scale test at the national large basin meeting in Tours. “There will be a lot of competition because the races are qualifiers for the “France” junior, which will take place in April in Rennes. » And it is with a certain pride that she will defend the colors of CN Saint-Brieuc.
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