Eleven new national champions were crowned on the first day of the short-course events, also offering several tickets to the World Championships.
The Angers National Swimming Sports Centre hosted the opening of the French short-course championships this Thursday, October 29, 2026. This national competition, bringing together the French elite of the discipline, featured a dense and technical first day. The swimmers competed in several finals that have already sealed the fate of certain events, offering the public a high-flying spectacle over the short distances.
Eleven national titles were awarded during this first evening. Among the protagonists, the performance of Frenchwoman Gastaldello stood out, winning her flagship event and consolidating her place among the elite of her specialty. Her victory comes in a context of intense competition where intermediate splits and total times matter more than ever for setting national records.
Another highlight of the evening was the achievement of champion Cristofini, who improved her own national record. This remarkable performance earned her not only a title but also confirmed her status as the French reference on her preferred distance. The public, present in large numbers, saluted this progression that places the athlete among the best in the country.
Beyond the race for national laurels, the evening served as a decisive gateway for World Championship qualifications. Indeed, several athletes validated their standards or placed in the top eight, thus securing their ticket to the international competition. Beijing will now await the qualifiers in December, which places pressure on the final days of national competition.
This first phase of the tournament thus brings an end to an intense preparation cycle for the French teams. Coaches can now begin adjusting their work plans ahead of the world event, while swimmers not qualified for the World Championships will focus on their national titles. The Angers Centre continues to host competitions that will carry on in the coming days.
Eleven national titles were awarded during this first evening. Among the protagonists, the performance of Frenchwoman Gastaldello stood out, winning her flagship event and consolidating her place among the elite of her specialty. Her victory comes in a context of intense competition where intermediate splits and total times matter more than ever for setting national records.
Another highlight of the evening was the achievement of champion Cristofini, who improved her own national record. This remarkable performance earned her not only a title but also confirmed her status as the French reference on her preferred distance. The public, present in large numbers, saluted this progression that places the athlete among the best in the country.
Beyond the race for national laurels, the evening served as a decisive gateway for World Championship qualifications. Indeed, several athletes validated their standards or placed in the top eight, thus securing their ticket to the international competition. Beijing will now await the qualifiers in December, which places pressure on the final days of national competition.
This first phase of the tournament thus brings an end to an intense preparation cycle for the French teams. Coaches can now begin adjusting their work plans ahead of the world event, while swimmers not qualified for the World Championships will focus on their national titles. The Angers Centre continues to host competitions that will carry on in the coming days.
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Source: Ouest-France