FINA World Championships Predictions: Mixed 400 Free Relay

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Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / Mia Rossiya Segodnaya

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In the inaugural mixed 400 free relay at the FINA World Championships in 2015, the United States won gold as Missy Franklin out-dueled the Netherlands’ Femke Heemskerk at the finish. This year, a weakened Australian squad should mean the Americans are favored.

Australia is missing men’s 100 free Olympic gold medalist Kyle Chalmers, out of World Champs with a heart issue, and women’s 100 free world record-holder Cate CampbellCameron McEvoy and Bronte Campbell should be strong here, along with either Emma McKeon or Shayna Jack, but finding a second man to keep pace with the U.S. will be the challenge.

The Americans, meanwhile, figure to roll out Nathan AdrianCaeleb DresselSimone Manuel and Mallory Comerford, although Dressel could be replaced since he figures to swim in both the 50 free and 100 fly finals that night. Either way, the American men have relay depth pieces who could fill the void.

Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David RiederJohn Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.

Mixed 400 Free Relay

Current Records:

World Record: United States — Lochte, Adrian, Manuel, Franklin (2015) — 3:23.05
Championship Record: United States — Lochte, Adrian, Manuel, Franklin (2015) — 3:23.05
American Record: Lochte, Adrian, Manuel, Franklin (2015) — 3:23.05
2015 World Champion: United States — Lochte, Adrian, Manuel, Franklin — 3:23.05

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: United States
Silver: Australia
Bronze: Russia

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: United States
Silver: Australia
Bronze: Great Britain

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: United States
Silver: Australia
Bronze: Japan

Previous Events

Day One:

Day Two:

Day Three:

Day Four:

Day Five:

Day Six:

Day Seven:

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commonwombat
commonwombat
6 years ago

The question NOT posed by the writer is …… how many countries WILL actually contest this relay. The MMR now has Olympic status (albeit the announcement coming AFTER most teams had been named) but this one does not. Team sizes at this Worlds are probably significantly reduced from what you would see in 2019 so the question of “do you add another race to your peak performer’s program” is very much in play … esp if you may not have the numbers/quality to field an adequate substitute in this one.

Realistically, this one is USA first then …… anyone’s guess. A full strength AUS team WOULD probably challenge USA & quite possibly beat them …. but that is not what we will see here. No Chalmers, No C1, C2 still nursing shoulder issues and McEvoy in questionable form …… it’s frankly questionable that AUS will even bother racing this one.

GBR lacks quality freestyle sprinters since Halsall retired so their medal chances would be contingent on a lot of teams not bothering. I would actually see CAN as the nearest competition to USA …. albeit not a real threat to them winning.

commonwombat
commonwombat
6 years ago

– Cartwright swam 48.4 at AUS Trials after a sub49 in semis so there IS another reasonably quick male sprinter. Does have World Juniors behind him but this is his first senior team.
– Ditto Jack who had a break-out AUS season and her 53.4 has to be respected BUT she has not raced since Trials.
– McKeon will have a busy race schedule as is with 100/200free/100fly and the 3 standard Oly relays … why add another meaningless one ?
– There are questions re McEvoy’s ongoing motivation and hey, he’s nearing univ graduation. It wouldnt surprise to see him pull the plug within the next 9 months.
– For CAN, are the likes of Kisil & Thornmeyer on the team ? They should at least be respectable

However, in all honesty, when it comes to the minors in this races, they may as well hold a raffle !!

Brownish
Brownish
6 years ago
Reply to  commonwombat

I think Scott will swim the free and a girl (Davies) the back. CWH is out of shape, they are good for at least second place.
Hungary will swim everything, this event too.

commonwombat
commonwombat
6 years ago
Reply to  Brownish

Brownish, whilst I would agree with what you are saying; you have the wrong thread. This is the Mixed Free relay not the Mixed Medley

Shaheen Alghofari
6 years ago

What’s Andy Ross on about Betsy Perry

Betsy Perry
6 years ago

USA Aus GB

Brownish
Brownish
6 years ago

Sorry CW, perhaps I was too tired.

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