FINA World Short Course Championships: Netherlands Threatens World Record in 400 Free Relay Win

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 18. THE Netherlands nearly tracked down the world record in the women's 400 free relay for the win at the FINA World Short Course Championships.

The team of Femke Heemskerk (52.33), Inge Dekker (52.47), Hinkelien Schreuder (52.32) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (51.42) took home the title in 3:28.54. That swim beat the Dutch's meet record of 3:29.42 set in 2008, and just missed the Dutch's world record of 3:28.22 from Dec. 2008.

The United States' Natalie Coughlin (51.88), Katie Hoff (52.79), Jessica Hardy (53.03) and Dana Vollmer (51.64) took second in 3:29.34. That time beat the ratified American record of 3:31.90 set by Kara Lynn Joyce, Hoff, Amanda Weir and Hardy during prelims. Missy Franklin, Christine Magnuson, Weir and Vollmer still holds the top time by an American foursome with a time of 3:28.89 set last December. USA Swimming invalidated all techsuit swims after it put a domestic ban in place in Oct. 2009, even though FINA did not enact the ban until Jan. 1, 2010.

Coughlin, meanwhile, set the undisputed American record in the women's 100 free with her leadoff of 51.88. That time beat her ratified record of 52.25 set yesterday, while also beat Dana Vollmer's un-ratified time of 52.16 set at the Duel in the Pool last December.

China's Tang Yi (52.27), Zhu Qianwei (52.60), Pang Jiaying (52.94) and Li Zhesi (52.00) rounded out the podium with a third-place 3:29.81 to crush the Asian record set by China with a 3:34.55 in 1997.

Australia (3:30.92), Sweden (3:31.97), Canada (3:33.92), Russia (3:35.58) and Brazil (3:35.95) completed the rest of the finale.

Day Four Finals Results

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