It was announced earlier today by the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation that Fred Vergnoux won the Trophy Alejandro Lopez, which is given to to the top swim coach in Spain each year. Vergnoux guided Mireia Belmonte to tremendous success once again in the 2013-14 season.
Belmonte took four gold at the 2013 European Short Course Championships in Herning winning the 400 and 800 freestyle, the 200 butterfly and the 400 IM. She set a new championship record in the 400 IM and a new European and championship record in the 200 butterfly.
She then went on to win both the 1500 freestyle and 200 butterfly at the 2014 European Championships in Berlin this summer. Both of her winning times set new championship records. She also collected silver in both the 400 IM and 800 freestyle and a bronze in the 400 freestyle.
Belmonte also experienced success outside of the pool in Berlin winning a bronze in the 5 km open water event.
Last year the award was given to Jose Antonio de Castillo who was the Head Coach of the Spanish team at the 2013 World Championships and guided Melanie Costa to a silver medal finish in the women’s 400 freestyle.