Evans Dominant in Monaco Meet

Blair Evans has kicked off her 2010 Mare Nostrum series with two medals in picturesque Monaco over the weekend.

The 200m national champion claimed silver in the same event after clocking 1:58.52mins behind Frenchwoman Camille Muffat (1:58.00mins).

National Head Coach Leigh Nugent, who is travelling with the ten Telstra Dolphins competing in Monaco, was very impressed with the determined 19-year-old.

“Blair was definitely the highlight of the Australian swimmers tonight in the 200m freestyle,” said Nugent.

“Muffat (Camille) from France caught her by surprise in the third 50, but Blair fought back hard over the last 50 and was only just touched out.”

Evans however, had plenty left in the tank and produced a scintillating swim in the 400m freestyle to gain revenge on Muffat and add gold to her earlier medal.

After negatively splitting the 400m freestyle to snatch the win in 4:07.39mins ahead of Camille Muffat (4:07.59mins), Evans said she wasn’t expecting the quick time.

“I definitely didn’t expect that time, especially coming off some hefty travel and tough training that included a seven kilometre session straight off the plane,” said Evans.

“To go faster in the second half and negatively split the race is a real confidence booster for me ahead of the next two legs of the meet.”

Head Coach Leigh Nugent saw the results as a great sign of encouragement for Australian swimming.

“Blair Evans swim in the 400m free was a beautifully close race, especially considering she was in some particularly classy company. To swim over the top of Muffat shows some real maturity in her racing,” he said.

The Mare Nostrum series now moves onto Barcelona (June 9-10) and Canet (June 12-13).