Allison Schmitt Breaks American, World Cup Records in 200 Free in Berlin

Missy Franklin wasn’t the only record breaker on day 1 of the 2011 FINA World Cup in Berlin. At the last stop in Moscow, she and teammate Allison Schmitt tied atop the 200 free podium. This time, Schmitt was dominant and swam her way to a 1:52.08, which is a new American and World Cup Record.

Both of those previous marks were set at this same meet last year. Dutch swimmer Femke Heemskerk set the World Cup Record in 1:52.42 in Berlin last year, and Katie Hoff set the American Record in 1:52.91 at last year’s Short Course World Championships in Dubai.

Here’s the comparative splits:

Schmitt                      26.58 – 54.66 (28.08) – 1:23.39 (28.73) – 1:52.08 (28.69)
Heemskerk (WC)   26.62 – 55.55 (28.94) – 1:23.95 (28.40) – 1:52.42 (28.47)
Hoff (American)    26.58 – 54.95 (28.37) – 1:23.94 (28.99) – 1:52.91 (28.97)

Schmitt put together a complete race together, and closed very well, as compared to the long course World Championships.

(Note: Allison Schmitt swam a faster time, 1:51.67, in 2009 after the USA Swimming suit ban went into affect. USA Swimming never ratified the mark, but it was technically the fastest 200 free ever done by an American, per FINA rules.)

With this mark, all of the American Short Course Records in the women’s freestyle events have been swum in Germany. Angie Bainbridge took 2nd in 1:53.02, and Franklin took 3rd in 1:53.26, which a year ago would’ve broken the American Record.

Michael Phelps, though without setting any records, also had a great day of competition. He took double victories in the 100 IM (51.65) and 400 IM (4:01.49).

In that 100 IM, Phelps bested a field that included James Goddard (52.05) and Kenneth To (52.46). This was his career-best time, and moved him to the top of the World Rankings.

The 400 IM, which is an event that he has given up at the elite, long course level, was a surprisingly good swim for him as well. That’s two-seconds better than the previous world best this year, which Japan’s Daiya Seto also cleared in 4:02.85. That swim lends credence to what we’ve heard about Phelps’ renewed dedication to his training in the leadup to the Olympics.

Full day 1 meet results available here.