Vlad Morozov Splits 17.86 on 200 Freestyle Relay

This is unreal.

These are numbers that nobody thought possible.

Polyurethane? Who needs it.

All Vlad Morozov needs is a pool, a block, and some laneropes. And he went a 17.86. That is the fastest relay split in history. This is the first time that anybody has ever split under 18 seconds in a 50 freestyle, in any suit, off of any blocks, at any level.

It’s not even clear if anybody was watching this race, because it appeared that more eyes were focused on the scoreboard waiting for the split. He was a pistol off of the blocks. His arms were flying at the sort of turnover that you only see from 8-year olds at summer league meets. It was unnatural how fast he was spinning, but somehow that ended up with 50 yards in 17 seconds. Great starts and great turns are his specialty.

The previous two fastest relay splits we’ve ever seen both came from Auburn swimmers. At NCAA’s in 2009, Matt Targett split an 18.19 to anchor the Tigers’ winning 200 free relay. The year before, his teammate Cesar Cielo had an identical 18.19 to anchor the 200 medley.

That makes Vlad’s time even more unique in that it was on USC’s third leg.

Auburn got the last laugh in this relay. They took the victory, with USC finishing 2nd. But it will be Morozov whose result is remembered.

#1786

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Person
10 years ago

Anyone know what brand makes Vlad’s swedish goggles or where to get a pair?

person2
Reply to  Person
7 years ago

did you ever figure out what the brand of vlad morozov’s goggles were?

Person
10 years ago

Does anyone know what brand makes Vlad’s swedish goggles? I need to cop a pair!

Bill
10 years ago

Cordes’ 49.5 trumps 17.8. No question

PattyG
10 years ago

That’s swimmer of the year speed. Holy mackerel

CoachNerd
10 years ago

Wow. Two of the fastest things I’ve ever heard of in one session… 17.8 Fr and 49.6 Br… Amazing. Ridiculous.

Theoooooo
10 years ago

Funny how we thought the 17.86 would be the highlight…. and then Kevin Cordes split 49.56 in his 1breast and literally redefined breaststroke sprinting.

Ben
10 years ago

also Braden any chance we can get them to release the 25 splits from the 200 relay (or in fact for the whole meet because they are more informative to look at)

I wonder if he went out 7…

Ben
10 years ago

anyone have a good video of this guy?

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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