Portuguese swimmer delivers standout performance in Canet-en-Roussillon
Francisca Martins was once again the standout performer for Portugal at the Canet-en-Roussillon stage of the Mare Nostrum swimming circuit in France, coming close to breaking her own national record in the 400m freestyle.
The Foca swimmer finished fourth in the final with a time of 4:08.18, just 0.68 seconds off her personal best and national record of 4:07.50, set last year at the 2025 Berlin Universiade.
Strong field in the 400m freestyle final
The race was won by New Zealander Erika Fairweather in 4:02.28, ahead of Argentina’s Agostina Hein (4:05.34) and Italy’s Simona Quadarella (4:06.64).
Earlier in the morning heats, Francisca Martins had already secured her place in the A final by clocking 4:12.82, ranking fourth among 18 competitors.
Other Portuguese swimmers also in action
Mariana Cunha also impressed, reaching the A final of the 100m butterfly. After qualifying with 1:00.23, she finished eighth in the final with 1:00.38.
In the B finals, Rafaela Azevedo placed second in the 100m backstroke with a time of 1:02.57, improving on her heat time of 1:03.67 and recording her second-best mark of the season.
In the men’s 100m backstroke, João Costa finished third in the B final with 55.88 seconds, slightly better than his qualifying time of 55.98.
Vasco Morgado recorded 54.09 seconds in the 100m butterfly, while Rodrigo Borges finished seventh in the 1500m freestyle with 15:47.70.
Next stop: Barcelona
After the French stage, the Portuguese delegation of six swimmers will now travel to Barcelona for the next leg of the Mare Nostrum circuit, scheduled for 30 and 31 May.
The team will be reinforced by Olympian Ana Rodrigues, who will compete in the 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke, as well as Kevins Apseniece, entered in the 100m and 200m butterfly events.
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