Americans Claim World Record in Mixed 4×100 Free Relay

The American women settled for a bronze medal in the 4×100 free relay at the 2015 World Championships after going nearly two seconds faster in 2013 for a thrilling gold medal performance to top Australia. The American men failed to qualify in the top 8 to even contend in finals. No American medaled in the individual 100 free, man or woman. But in the mixed 4×100 free relay, the pieces came together for the Americans. They won the event in 3:23.05, taking down the world record of 3:23.29 set in 2014 by Australia.

After the first leg, Ryan Lochte swam a 48.79 to put the U.S. in just fifth place. Lochte’s had a great meet, though that time put the Americans in a hole right off the bat. Canada’s Santo Condorelli had yet another phenomenal 100 free lead-off for the Canadians, putting them in first with his split of 48.19. Russia’s Vlad Morozov also led off fast, going 48.27 to put the home team in gold medal contention.

As Nathan Adrian dove in, what was to be expected? The defending Olympic Champion in the 100 free has been the rock for American men’s sprinting since London, but he faltered in the 100 free final and missed the podium. He also was unable to swim any relays after the American 400 free relay prelims team missed finals. Then again, Adrian did have a fantastic 50 free program, breaking the American record and ultimately winning the silver medal in finals. Adrian looked like his old self and showed up big time, splitting a 47.29 to vault the Americans right up to the Russians, who were still running first.

Simone Manuel has impressed more in the 50 than the 100 at this meet, and her 53.66 was solid but nowhere near as impressive as Ranomi Kromowidjojo‘s 52.48, shooting the Dutch team up from 6th to 4th as Femke Heemskerk dove in with Missy Franklin in sights. Franklin’s performance at this meet has not been nearly as dominant as we have seen in the past, and while the American pushed past Russia, Heemskerk blazed a 24.71 on the first 50 and edged ahead of Franklin. It wasn’t to be, though, for the Dutch, as Franklin closed hard and got her hand to the wall five hundredths of a second before Heemskerk. The Dutch woman split a fast 52.79, though she did split a 51.99 on the Dutch women’s silver medal 400 free relay earlier in the meet.

PODIUM

1. United States (3:23.05) WR – Ryan Lochte (48.79), Nathan Adrian (47.29), Simone Manuel (53.66), Missy Franklin (53.31)

2. Netherlands (3:23.10) – Sebastiaan Verschuren (48.74), Joost Reijns (49.09), Ranomi Kromowidjojo (52.48), Femke Heemskerk (52.79)

3. Canada (3:23.59) – Santo Condorelli (48.19), Yuri Kisil (48.25), Chantal Van Landeghem (53.60), Sandrine Mainville (53.55)

This bronze medal for Canada is their first relay medal at a World Championships since 2007, when they won bronze in the men’s 4×200 free relay. They showed up and swam an incredible program at this summer’s Pan Am Games, and the nation has continued to push its way into international significance with several swimmers making finals appearances, as well as their other medal, a bronze from Ryan Cochrane in the 400 free.

Also of note, the 5th place Brazilian team put up a new South American record in this relay. Their team of Matheus Santana, Bruno Fratus, Larissa Oliveira, and Daynara de Paula swam to a time of 3:25.58 for the new record.

Meanwhile, the Australians did not compete in this event. They looked to have the components for a gold medal-worthy relay, what with the Campbell sisters both earning podium finishes in the 100 free and Cameron McEvoy winning silver on the men’s side. Aussie coach Jacco Verhaeren deemed the mixed gender relays “not a high priority” and therefore the Australian team is putting all their focus on Olympic events.