Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
From Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July 2026, the Luxembourg Swimming and Lifesaving Federation (FLNS) organised the Open Luxembourg Nationals and Masters Nationals at the Coque Aquatic Centre in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.
The event brought together swimmers of all ages and levels, from young national championship debutants to experienced competitors, including members of Luxembourg's national team who are set to represent the Grand Duchy at the 2026 European Aquatics Championships in Paris next month.
On Sunday, Luxembourg international Finn Kemp won the men's 50m breaststroke in 28.04 seconds, edging Iceland's Snorri Dagur Einarsson by just 0.01 seconds. He later added victory in the 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:18.15.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu after his races, Finn Kemp explained that the national championships play an important role in his preparations for the international season: "I always come back for the Luxembourg Nationals. It's a good competition before our end-of-season meets. All of us are coming here after some of the hardest weeks of training. I just returned from a training camp in Turkey, where I probably did the hardest training of my life."
Looking ahead to next month's European Aquatics Championships in Paris, Kemp confirmed that he is planning to compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events, as well as the 200m individual medley, with a relay appearance also expected to be confirmed. "I have another training camp in Egypt now, leaving on Tuesday [14 July 2026], where we'll do the final preparations before heading to Paris. Then it will be all about getting ready for the European Championships.”
One of the standout moments of the championships came in the men's 100m backstroke, where Rémi Fabiani lowered Luxembourg's national record by more than a second. He touched the wall in 54.21 seconds, surpassing his previous best and setting a new national mark.
"I think my previous best was around 55.6, so obviously I was aiming to improve on that, but I didn't think I could go 54.2. That's about a second and a half faster, so I was very surprised by the time, but I'm really happy with where I'm at. I had a tough couple of months training in Phoenix [United States], and I only came back four or five days ago. Being at this level now, before leaving for another training camp in two days, I'm happy with where I am. Hopefully, I can still do even better," Fabiani told Chronicle.lu. Speaking about next month's European Championships in Paris, he added: "I'm just trying to enjoy it rather than focusing on a specific time or finishing position. Giving my all has worked well for me this year."
Another member of Luxembourg's national team to impress on Sunday was Florian Frippiat, who won the men's 100m butterfly in 53.60 seconds. In total, Luxembourg will be represented by eight swimmers at next month's European Aquatics Championships in Paris. Alongside Finn Kemp, Rémi Fabiani and Florian Frippiat, the squad includes Joao Carneiro, Ralph Daleiden Ciuferri, Julien Henx, Lou Jominet and Emma Barthel.
Emma Barthel also enjoyed a notable weekend. On Saturday 11 July 2026, she set a new Luxembourg national record in the 200m individual medley at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Munich. The 2:19.21 she recorded in the heats saw her finish twentieth overall while lowering the national record.
Commenting on Luxembourg's prospects for the European Championships, FLNS National Technical Director and Federal Coach Christophe Audot, who was in Munich during the European Junior Championships, told Chronicle.lu: "It will be a big team. Of course, Rémi, Ralph and Finn will lead the way, while the others will compete to achieve their personal goals. It will be very interesting, and we're all enthusiastic as we enter the final phase of preparation.” He added: “As for this weekend, the number one performance was definitely Rémi's - that time was amazing. I would also highlight Finn Kemp's excellent breaststroke performances, as well as Florian Frippiat's 53.60 in the 100m butterfly, his second-fastest time ever. It's very, very encouraging."
