Marrit Steenbergen Scares World Record in 100 Freestyle at Canet Stop of Mare Nostrum Series
Just two days after Anna Moesch set an American record in the 100-meter freestyle to become the No. 2 performer in history, the Netherlands’ Marrit Steenbergen joined the 51-second club by blasting a mark of 51.86 on the first day of the Canet stop of the Mare Nostrum Series. By winning the event in France, Steenbergen wasn’t far off the world record of 51.71, set in 2017 by Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom.
On Monday, Moesch clocked 51.94 at the AP Race London International to break Simone Manuel’s American record of 52.04, which had stood since 2019. Steenbergen was slightly quicker in Canet, as she opened with 24.91 split and came home in 26.95. She is now just one of four women to break the 52-second barrier in the 100 freestyle, with Australia’s Emma McKeon (51.96) the fourth member of the exclusive group.
A two-time world champion in the 100 freestyle, Steenbergen has been consistently superb in the event this year, highlighted by a 52.13 mark at the Mare Nostrum leg in Monaco. Now, she is within .15 of the world record, a standard that is undoubtedly under assault based on the recent performances of Moesch and Steenbergen.
Simona Quadarella Lowers Longstanding Canet Record
Simona Quadarella pulled away from Erika Fairweather on the second half of the 800 free to take the title in 8:20.54, a new Canet record surpassing the 8:20.68 that had stood to two-time Olympic medalist Jazz Carlin since 2014.
New Zealander Fairweather took second in 8:23.19 with Agostina Hein third in 8:24.23.
Mary-Sophie Harvey had a convincing win in the 200IM, clocking 2:09.20 for a 2.22-second margin of victory over Argentina’s Hein who claimed her second medal of the evening in 2:11.42. Spain’s Emma Carrasco third in 2:11.82.
It was a second straight win over four lengths for Harvey who took the title at the opening stop of the tour in Monaco.
Kristof Milak made two trips to the podium. The Hungarian opened his program with bronze in the 50 fly behind Ilya Kharun (23.00) and Grigori Pekarski (23.26) with Milak 0.01 off the Belarusian in 23.27.
The two-time Olympic champion returned for the 100 free at the end of the session where Patrick Sammon had a clear win in 48.04. Milak – whose national record stands at 47.47 en-route to silver as David Popovici set the WR at the 2022 Europeans – was second home in 48.76. Kamil Sieradzki was third in 49.02.
Victor Johansson backed up his Monaco 400 free victory in 3:46.77 ahead of Marco de Tullio (3:49.99) and Khiew Hoe Yean (3:52.61) who set a Malaysian record of 3:47.68 en-route to silver at the 2025 World University Games.
McKenzie Siroky of the USA came back on the second 50 to take the 100 breast in 1:06.31 ahead of Canada’s Alexanne LePage (1:06.42) and Russia’s 200 breast world record-holder Evgeniia Chikunova (1:07.02).
There was a Russian 1-2 in the men’s 100 breast where Ivan Kozhakin led home Kirill Prigoda in 59.63 to 59.82. Melvin Imoudu was third in 59.88.
Rosendahl Bach Wins 200 Fly
Helena Rosendahl Bach led throughout to win the 200 fly despite the fast finish of Lilou Ressencourt, the Dane winning in 2:08.46 to 2:08.82. Julia Pujadas Rusinol of Spain was third in 2:11.48.
Gabriel Jett of the USA took the men’s 200 fly in 1:55.95 ahead of Alberto Razzetti of Italy (1:56.32) and Kharun (1:56.63).
Jan Cejka won the men’s 200 back in 1:56.26 ahead of John Shortt (1:56.74), the Irishman having set a national record of 1:55.70 at April’s national championships. Antoine Herlem was third in 1:59.01.
Leah Shackley won the women’s equivalent in 2:10.63 ahead of Frenchwoman Pauline Mahieu (2:11.04) and Spain’s Estrella Tonrath (2:11.12).
A strong second half guided Gabor Zombori to the 400IM title in 4:16.88 ahead of Diego Mira Albaladejo (4:19.73) and Alberto Hernandez Garcia (4:22.58).
Pavel Samusenko won the men’s 50 back in 24.35, 0.08 ahead of Miroslav Knedla (24.43) with Miron Lifintsev making it a Russia 1-3 in 24.75.
Analia Pigree claimed the women’s title in 27.46 ahead of Ingrid Wilm (27.75) and Shackley (28.58).