As if the Australian women weren’t already favorites enough in the 4×100 free relay in Rio, Cate Campbell broke the 100 freestyle world record in the finals of the Australian Grand Prix today.
Campbell, a month out from Rio and presumably at least not-fully-tapered, eclipsed the mark formerly held by Germany’s Britta Steffen by .01, swimming a new all-time best of 52.06. Campbell had swam 52.97 in prelims. By comparison, no U.S. woman broke 53 in the finals of the U.S. Olympic Trials last night in Omaha.
Steffen’s record was set at the 2009 in Rome at the FINA World Championships, one of many world records at that meet that ultimately led to FINA banning the so-called “supersuits.”
Today, Campbell went out in 24.89 and came home in 27.17, compared to Steffen’s 25.46/26.51.
Campbell already had the top time in the world this year, a 52.38 from the Australian Champs in April. Her sister Bronte Campbell has the second fast time in the world this year, from that same meet. Add in Emma McKeon, who’s ranked fourth in the world with a 52.80, and the Australians have three women faster this year than any woman besides Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom, who sits in third with a 52.78.
2015-2016 LCM Women 100 Free
CAMPBELL
52.06*WR
| 2 | Bronte CAMPBELL | AUS | 52.58 | 04/11 |
| 3 | Penny OLEKSIAK | CAN | 52.70*OR*WJR | 08/11 |
| 4 | Simone MANUEL | USA | 52.70*OR | 08/11 |
| 5 | Sarah SJOSTROM | SWE | 52.78 | 04/01 |
| 6 | Emma McKEON | AUS | 52.80 | 04/11 |
| 7 | Ranomi KROMOWIDJOJO | NED | 53.08 | 08/11 |
| 8 | Federica PELLEGRINI | ITA | 53.18 | 06/25 |
| 9 | Abbey WEITZEIL | USA | 53.28 | 07/01 |
| 10 | Jeanette OTTESEN | DEN | 53.35 | 08/10 |
I think she has a 23.72 50 free in her now. Already 23.84 earlier this year and that’s when she swam 52.38 in the 100.
Which will happen first, an aus female going sub 52 in 100 free or a male going sub 52 in the 100 fly? Gina pointed out one time that an Australian male has never broken 52 in the 100 fly at the Olympics. It’s true. I find that unbelievable, not even Michael Klim did it. I wish we could trade some of our flyers for some 52 freestylers.
Not true at all.
Michael Klim became the first swimmer to go sub 52 when he swam the 51.81 World Record in 1999 (in speedo briefs).
Australian record is 50.85 by Andrew Lauterstein (he also won bronze in 2008 Beijing behind Phelps and Cavic, beating Ian Crocker).
nvm I thought Laudersein was from New Zeland. Klim never swam a 51 at the Olympics. Austrialia still hasn’t gone a sub 52 in textile.
Not true.
Australia were actually the FIRST country in Olympic history to break 52 for the 100 Fly.Geoff Huegill swam 51.96 in the semis of the Sydney 2000 Olympics
Gina threw me for a loop. Thanks Gina
Cate is such a buzz kill for us watching the U.S. trials.
Glad to see that super suit record finally go. But at the same time, as pointed out, doesn’t bode well for US Women’s relay, or for any other team’s relay for that matter, either.
Nice swim!
FINALLY!!!!!!!!! It was in the cards for so long and finally Cate pulled four aces! Your rock, Cate Campbell. Rio is going to be your Broadway stage.
Campbell also swam a 4 x 50 relay event later and dropped a time of 23.3…..amazing
She’s had such bad luck with illness at the Olympics and injury. Really hope this year is her year. I’d like to see her get that gold in Rio. Fingers crossed she stays healthy this time around.