USA Razes World Record in 4×100 Mixed Free Relay

by Robert Gibbs 21

July 29th, 2017 International, News

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Being a relatively new event, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that the 4×100 mixed free relay would see a new world record established tonight.  What wasn’t clear was just how much it would be lowered by.

The USA trotted out its best possible lineup and took a metaphorical sledgehammer to the previous record of 3:23.05, with Caeleb Dressel, Nathan Adrian, Mallory Comerford, and Simone Manuel knocking a combined 3.45 seconds off the mark to win in 3:19.60.

Dressel, in his third swim of the night, clocked a 47.22, demonstrating an ability to swim 47-low multiple times that’s has no precedent outside of the supersuit era.  Adrian followed up with a solid 47.49, at which point the US had almost a two second lead over the rest of the field.  Comerford maintained that lead with a very strong 52.72, before Manuel put the thing away with a 52.18.

Comparative Splits

2015 Swimmer 2015 Time 2017 Time 2017 Swimmer
Lochte 48.79 47.22 Dressel
Adrian 47.29 47.49 Adrian
Manuel 53.66 52.71 Comerford
Franklin 53.21 52.18 Manuel

The previous world record swim, set by the US at the 2015 World Championship in Kazan.  Comparing today’s splits to those, there was pretty steady improvement across the board.  Dressel was 1.57 seconds faster than Lochte on the leadoff leg, Adrian was just two-tenths slower than his time from two years ago, and Comerford and Manuel were nearly two seconds faster combined than Manuel and Missy Franklin were in 2015.

Today, the Dutch squad of Ben Schwietert (49.12), Kyle Stolk (47.80), Femke Hemmskerk (52.33), and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (52.56) combined for a time of 3:21.81, also well under the previous world record.  This marks the 2nd straight time that the USA and the Netherlands went 1-2 in this event at worlds.

The USA have won five of six relays so far this week, with the sole loss being in the men’s 4×200 free, where they earned bronze.  Given the results of the 100m events, the USA should win gold in both the men’s and the women’s 4×100 medley relays tomorrow, making it seven relay golds total.

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tecumseh
6 years ago

whats up with the Aussies

Tigerswim22
6 years ago

A pro golfer doing what Caleb Dressel has done this week would be taking home $7,500,000.

E Gamble
6 years ago

Everyone keep forgetting that these races are also money. If I’ve figured correctly Caeleb has made 75,000 as of today. Tomorrow another 5,000.

AWSI DOOGER
6 years ago

I wondered who that was gaining slightly on Mallory. Hemmskerk quietly had a terrific split, particularly given her age and after not competing in the individual 100. I guess they went with her perhaps as appreciation and also since Van Der Meer didn’t advance out of prelims.

In looking at the 2015 lineup I don’t understand why Lochte swam this race. Seemingly there was always more than one American faster than him at 100. I could understand with 4 males but not 2. It’s like picking Ledecky for this final. I remember Lochte bemoaning that it’s not exactly his specialty in London when some media members blamed him for failing on the anchor leg of the 4 x 100. … Read more »

Robert Gibbs
Reply to  AWSI DOOGER
6 years ago

Awsi Dooger – 2015 selections were based on times from 2014 Nationals and Pan Pans. Long story short – Lochte had a spot in the 100 free, gave it up to Feignen, and got to swim this and the prelims of the medley relay still.

KeithM
Reply to  AWSI DOOGER
6 years ago

Heemskerk had a nervy 0.00 changeover, compared to .38 for Comerford. Simone chancing it bit as well with a .05.

STRAIGHTBLACKLINE
6 years ago

Mixed freestyle relay. Yawn. Mixed medley relay. Yawn. Did the swimmers ask for more relays? No. Did swimming fans demand these relays be added to the program? Definitely not. There’s a disconnect between what the swimming community wants and what the fat cats / blazers in FINA give us.

Takinpics
Reply to  STRAIGHTBLACKLINE
6 years ago

Personally, I think the mixed relays are great. The swimmers spend so much time together, it makes sense to put them in a race as a team.

Horninco
Reply to  STRAIGHTBLACKLINE
6 years ago

Drop the mixed and bring on the 4×50 relays.

bobo gigi
6 years ago

Crazy impressive American mixed free relay. Australia has not played. They have sent a B-team. USA has played with its best team. A dream team. That world record will not be easy to break.

Ole 99
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Seriously. Why the heck did they not field McEvoy, Cartwright, McKeon, and Campbell?

Dawgpaddle
6 years ago

Great race but the girls need to get with it. Their splits are abysmal when compared to the men.

Swimmer?
Reply to  Dawgpaddle
6 years ago

Hello new person interested in swimming! Let me start off with saying that like in most sports, men have lest body fat and are physically stronger than women, so they will ALWAYS be much faster. Anything else you need to know about this great sport?

AWSI DOOGER
Reply to  Dawgpaddle
6 years ago

Well done. That’s easily my favorite post in the brief time I’ve been here. Hard to believe there are actually down votes, and a serious reply.

Boknows34
Reply to  AWSI DOOGER
6 years ago

Unbelievable that people couldn’t up the sarcasm dripping off Dawgpaddle’s post. I’m British and we’re always bewildered and amused at how many Americans simply don’t catch on to irony and sarcasm.

75M FREE
Reply to  Dawgpaddle
6 years ago

That’s weird. I always assumed women were better at splits than men… because, well… you know, er… anatomy.

Horninco
6 years ago

USA has a great shot at rattling the 2009 Super Suit WR tomorrow night. Flat start times for Grevers, Cordes and Dressel plus Adrian’s 47.25 anchor from night 2 put them at 3:28.07, just a couple good relays starts away from the record of 3:27.28

It will be tough because everyone has to be on point and the big challenge is Adrian matching the 46.80 anchor that Walters put down. Adrian has done that as recently as Rio but hasn’t quite at the point this meet. Should be a fun race to watch

bobo gigi
Reply to  Horninco
6 years ago

I’d put Murphy on back. Grevers swims the 50 back final before the relay.
USA should first focus on winning the relay before the time. Imagine that GB finds a backstroker in the night. 🙂

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

GB wont find a 52 or 53.2 Backstroker in one night .

Horninco
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Of course they should, but I’m not swimming so I’m free to dream.

korn
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

they won’t do that unless Grevers agrees to it. too much at stake….world record, medal, and lots of money

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