DOHA –\u00a0The Netherlands crushed the world record in the women\u2019s 400 free relay to close a huge run on global standards tonight at the FINA World Short Course Championships.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands\u2019 quartet of Inge Dekker (52.39), Femke Heemskerk (50.58), Maud van der Meer (52.55) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (51.01) scorched the finale in 3:26.53. \u00a0Aside from Dekker touching fourth, the squad took over the lead and never looked back with Heemskerk\u2019s leg. \u00a0Watch Race<\/a><\/p>\n That swim downed the previous Netherlands\u2019 world record of 3:28.22 set by Hinkelien Schreuder (52.88), Kromowidjojo (52.12), Dekker (52.24) and Marleen Veldhuis (50.98) back in 2008.<\/p>\n It also is faster than the world best set by the European All Stars at the 2011 Duel in the Pool. \u00a0There, Jeanette Ottesen, DEN (52.39), Fran Halsall, GBR (51.57), Aliaksandra Herasimenia, BLR (52.21) and Kromowidjojo (51.36) posted a 3:27.53 for the fastest time ever in the event. \u00a0The time could not be ratified as a world record, however, as FINA requires all four legs to be of the same nation for that status.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a record fourth victory for The Netherlands in this event, and also secured both the 400 and 800 free relay golds for the second time ever, following their feat in 2008.<\/p>\n The American foursome of Natalie Coughlin (52.25), Abbey Weitzeil (51.57), Madison Kennedy (51.82) and Shannon Vreeland (52.06) managed to get under the previous world record as well with a second-place 3:27.70.<\/p>\n That\u2019s an American record, downing the 3:28.46 set by Coughlin, Jessica Hardy, Dana Vollmer and Missy Franklin at the 2011 Duel in the Pool.<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s Erika Ferraioli (52.70), Silvia Di Pietro (52.30), Aglaia Pezzato (52.72) and Federica Pellegrini (51.76) earned bronze in 3:29.48.<\/p>\n Denmark (3:29.86), China (3:31.78), Japan (3:32.31), Brazil (3:33.93) and Germany (3:34.71) rounded out the finale.<\/p>\n LIVE RESULTS<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n TIME CONVERSION TOOL<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n