Flash! Aussie Women Smash World Record in 4 x 100 Medley Relay at World Champs; USA Also Under Sweden’s Old Global Mark

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, October 9. IN a thrilling battle between the world's two strongest women's swimming powers, Australia destroyed the world record in the 4 x 100 medley relay with a time of 3:54.95. The USA squad was also under the old record with at 3:55.68.

Sophie Edington :59.37
Brooke Hanson 1:05.25
Jessica Schipper :58.28
Lisbeth Lenton :52.05
3:54.95

Haley Cope :59.18
Tara Kirk 1:05.76
Jenny Thompson :57.42
Kara Lynn Joyce :53.32
3:55.68

In a testament to the depth of the present Aussie women's program, this world record crew has no repeat members from the Australian gold medal, world record group from Athens.

Sophie Edington stepped in for Giaan Rooney and was close second at the end of the backstroke leg to world champion American Cope.

Brooke Hanson swam the Leisl Jones leg that many Australians thought her silver in the Olympic 100 breaststroke had earned her in Athens and took a close lead.

Jessica Schipper swam the Petria Thomas butterfly leg and continued her maturation as the new leader of Australia’s butterfly group. She responded well after Jenny Thompson had created and extended a USA’s margin by closing the gap significantly over the last 15 meters of the fly leg.

Lisbeth Lenton took the Jodie Henry role to heart. While Henry anchored in Athens with the fastest long course freestyle leg in history, Lenton did the same here, blowing by America’s anchor, Kara Lynn Joyce, off the final turn to record the fastest short course anchor leg in history.

–Phil W.

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