World Short Course Championships: Marleen Veldhuis Matches Meet Record to Win 100 Free

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MANCHESTER, England, April 11. Marleen Veldhuis of the Netherlands tied the meet record in the women's 100 free for the world title at the FINA World Short Course Championships.

Veldhuis went out fast with a 24.75 at the 50 and never looked back as she brought it home in 27.42 to tie the record with a 52.17. Sweden's Therese Alshammar, a two-time world champ in the event, set the record in 2000.

"Yes, it did feel relatively easy. I managed to turn on the power over the last 50. I'm extremely happy with the time," Veldhuis told meet organizers. "I guess it's easier in the field here. It may be a different matter when we get to Beijing. That said, I'm glad that I could win here and still conserve some energy. I hope there's more to come to tonight (in the Women's 4x100m Medley final)."

Fran Halsall of Great Britain took silver with a time of 52.79 to crush her national record of 53.20 set yesterday. Meanwhile, Finland's Hanna-Maria Seppala finished third in 52.94 to wipe out her matching 53.29s as the national record in the event.

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