Maggie MacNeil Rips New 50 Back World Record

2021 FINA SHORT COURSE SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Canadian Olympic champion Maggie MacNeil just collected a World Record tonight in Abu Dhabi en route to topping the women’s 50m back podium at these 2021 FINA Short Course World Championships.

Busting out a time of 25.27, 21-year-old MacNeil beat out teammate Kylie Masse who finished in 25.62 for silver while Louise Hansson of Sweden brought home the bronze in 25.86. Hansson had already registered a new Swedish national record of 25.83 in the semi-finals.

MacNeil set herself up for success by winning the heats in 25.98 followed by a 3rd ranked mark of 25.92 in last night’s semi-final. Both outings hovered around her personal best of 25.84, a time she logged on the FINA World Cup circuit this past October.

The World Record on the books before these championships rested at the 25.60 Dutch ace Kira Toussaint put up on two occasions, once in November of 2020 and then again one month later. Toussaint found herself in 10th place and out of the final with a semi-final result of 26.43 here in Abu Dhabi.

For just a 50m, MacNeil brought the WR down by .33. That’s a huge fraction for such a fast and furious two laps.

MacNeil already scored two gold medals on the relay front here while this 50m back represents her first individual top prize.

MacNeil is the reigning 100m fly Olympic champion from this summer’s Games in Tokyo.

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Awsi Dooger
2 years ago

If I had to pick anyone to destroy a sprint world record it would be Maggie. That upset over Sjostrom in 2019 had so many awesome qualities they were guaranteed to show up multiple times subsequently.

Ghost
2 years ago

Michigan has done quite well this week. Auboeck won 4free, Haughey won 200 in WR, 100 free and bronze in 400 and now Maggie sets WR in 50 back…and still one more day! Pretty impressive. Any college better repped?

There's no doubt that he's tightening up
Reply to  Ghost
2 years ago

MA Swim Academy?

On a more serious note, though not better than UMich, NC State (Berkoff, Held, Ponti, S Hansson) and Texas A&M (Casas, Pickrem, Gastaldello) are quitely doing OK too.

Sam B
2 years ago

her freestyle is insanely fast too. Whatever fits her schedule, she’ll be on the podium

rob davis
2 years ago

Amazing swim! Congrats to Ms. MacNeil!!

WhenVictorDavisWasKing
2 years ago

She’s amazing. Go Canada!

MTK
2 years ago

🤭

WOAH

With that kind of speed, isn’t the 54.8 100bk WR going to be toast pretty soon?

Last edited 2 years ago by MTK
Gen D
Reply to  MTK
2 years ago

They could let her lead off the medley relay tomorrow morning to see what she can do. Not sure if they’re already planning to use her in the 4×50 FR prelims though

Big Mac #1
Reply to  Gen D
2 years ago

She has the 100 fly tomorrow tho

Gen D
Reply to  Big Mac #1
2 years ago

yeah she’ll have a triple tomorrow night most likely

There's no doubt that he's tightening up
Reply to  MTK
2 years ago

Not just MacNeil, if McKeown or Regan Smith ever decide to do a fully rested SCM 100 back, you’ve got to think that 57 mid long course ability + their great underwaters should be enough to dip under 54.8…

As a reference point, Masse just went 55.2, and she probably has the worst underwaters (but best surface speed) of the three so…

Little Mermaid
2 years ago

Can’t wait till NCAA!

Swim Coach
2 years ago

Can she collect the WR prize money that comes along with that?

Big Mac #1
Reply to  Swim Coach
2 years ago

Only for expenses I think. I could be wrong tho

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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