Pellegrini Hits Fastest Career Split As Italian Record Falls In Medley Relay

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Led by a career-best split from Federica Pellegrini, the Italian women set a new National Record in the 400 medley relay to close out the 2019 World Championships from Gwangju.

Joined by Margherita PanzieraMartina Carraro and Elena di Liddo, Pellegrini anchored in 52.53 to bring them up from fifth to fourth in a time of 3:56.50.

The previous record, set at last summer’s European Championships, was 3:57.00 from Carlotta ZofkovaArianna Castiglioni, di Liddo and Pellegrini.

SPLIT COMPARISON

The team was just under three-tenths (0.27) off of their record pace through the fly leg, but Pellegrini split almost eight-tenths better than last year to give them the record by half a second.

Italy, 2018 Euros Italy, 2019 Worlds
Zofkova – 59.86 Panziera – 59.77
Castiglioni – 1:06.50 Carraro – 1:06.87
di Liddo – 57.34 di Liddo – 57.33
Pellegrini – 53.30 Pellegrini – 52.53
3:57.00 3:56.50

Pellegrini hadn’t broken 53 seconds on a relay coming into this meet, but has now done so twice. She closed off the mixed medley relay, which was also a National Record, in 52.76.

Italy finishes the competition with a total of four new relay records, along with 10 individual.

The American women won gold in the event in the fastest time in history at 3:50.40, led by Regan Smith‘s individual world record on the lead-off leg in 57.57, and Australia (3:53.42) and Canada (3:53.58) won silver and bronze.

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Ben
5 years ago

Pellegrini’s had a great meet overall. 8th consecutive medal in the women’s 200m freestyle, and 2nd consecutive gold (4th overall). And now her fastest 100m freestyle splits.

GTS
Reply to  Ben
5 years ago

Her 1:54.22 is faster than her world record of 1:52.98 when you take into account that her 2009 WR was done during the super suit era. Kind of mind boggling. Incredible persistence and professionalism.

brian
5 years ago

could have on his arms a sub 53 on the 100

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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