Dressel Scorches 49.28 For Fastest Fly Split In History

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

For the second consecutive medley relay final Caeleb Dressel produced the fastest butterfly split in history.

The 22-year-old popped off a 49.33 in the mixed event, overtaking the previous all-time mark of 49.72 done by Michael Phelps in 2009, and then tonight in the men’s race hit 49.28.

ALL-TIME 100 FLY RELAY SPLITS

  1. Caeleb Dressel (USA), 49.28 – 2019
  2. Caeleb Dressel (USA), 49.33 – 2019
  3. Michael Phelps (USA), 49.72 – 2009
  4. Caeleb Dressel (USA), 49.76 – 2017
  5. Caeleb Dressel (USA), 49.92 – 2017
  6. Chad Le Clos (RSA), 50.10 – 2018
  7. Michael Phelps (USA), 50.15 – 2008
  8. Andrew Lauterstein (AUS) / Gabriel Mangabeira (BRA), 50.16 – 2009
  9. Ian Crocker (USA), 50.28 – 2004

Comparing the reaction times of each of Dressel’s sub-50 splits, he was slightly slower here than he was on the mixed relay, but still better than both in 2017.

Dressel, 2017 Mixed Dressel, 2017 Men’s Dressel, 2019 Mixed Dressel, 2019 Men’s
r: 0.42 r: 0.47 r: 0.28 r: 0.34
23.10 22.80 22.83 22.83
26.82 26.96 26.50 26.45
49.92 49.76 49.33 49.28

His back half of 26.45 is the fastest he’s ever been (including individually), overtaking his 26.50 from the mixed event.

The former Florida Gator set the world record in the individual 100 fly on Friday in the semi-finals, clocking 49.50 to take out Phelps’ mark of 49.82, and then won the final in 49.66.

For fun, if we look at his ‘through the water’ times, subtracting the reaction time off each swim, this one falls just 0.05 shy of his world record (see times at the bottom).

Dressel, 2017 Mixed Relay Dressel, 2017 Men’s Relay Dressel, 2019 Mixed Relay Dressel, 2019 Men’s Relay Dressel, 2017 Final Dressel, 2019 Semis Dressel, 2019 Final
r: 0.42 r: 0.47 r: 0.28 r: 0.34 r: 0.64 r: 0.61 r: 0.61
23.10 22.80 22.83 22.83 23.31 22.83 23.09
26.82 26.96 26.50 26.45 26.55 26.67 26.57
49.92 49.76 49.33 49.28 49.86 49.50 49.66
49.50 49.29 49.05 48.94 49.22 48.89 49.05

Despite Dressel’s splits, the Americans didn’t win gold in either relay.

The Australians topped them in the mixed event, and on day eight the British men got by them with a huge 46.14 anchor from Duncan Scott which stands up as the second-fastest free leg in history.

They set a new European Record in 3:28.10, with the U.S. team of Ryan MurphyAndrew Wilson, Dressel and Nathan Adrian settling for silver in 3:28.45. This was just the second time the Americans have lost the relay without getting disqualified.

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Swimfan
5 years ago

Ian Crocker 50.2 in 2004 wow

DEAN IS GOD
5 years ago

I know this isn’t really physically possible, but if you take the fastest 50 in history (Govorov 22.27) and have the fastest possible reaction time- and then add the 26.34 Phelps back half from Quebec (the fastest I’ve heard of), you get

22.27, .61 reaction time, and -.03 is allowed in relays.
22.27-0.64=21.63
21.63+26.34=47.97

Might be the physical, absolute max with a full body suit

Sun Yang's Mom
Reply to  DEAN IS GOD
5 years ago

What.

DEAN IS GOD
Reply to  Sun Yang's Mom
5 years ago

The way they subtracted Dressel’s reaction times to get 48.8, I did that but with the fastest first and last 50 in history

IU Swammer
Reply to  DEAN IS GOD
5 years ago

With the way records keep creeping down, this will probably be the record in 2060(ish).

Crannman
5 years ago

Does this mean Phelps still owns the fastest second fifty of all time with his 50.45 (24.10/26.35) 100m Fly from 2015 US Nationals?

Dirtswimmer
Reply to  James Sutherland
5 years ago

Phelps was actually 24.14/26.34 (50.48) at the 2009 Quebec cup challenge meet, which I’m pretty sure is the fastest back half.

Ol' Longhorn Biggest Fan
5 years ago

But can he split 46.1 in the free???????

Philip Johnson
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn Biggest Fan
5 years ago

Lol

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn Biggest Fan
5 years ago

At the flags, yes. To the wall, no.

Smokin
5 years ago

Wow with a .34 reaction. He’ll be under 49 in no time

Wondering
Reply to  Smokin
5 years ago

I like my heroes to throw down the fastest split in history

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Wondering
5 years ago

Only if they win gold, sweetheart.

Wondering
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
5 years ago

Charmin

Wondering
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
5 years ago

Faster than Phelps ever swam

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Smokin
5 years ago

Lost the race with that poor exchange.

The Ready Room
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
5 years ago

You’re truly talented, I gotta give it to ya. Impressed that you found a way to blame him for that relay loss

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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