VICTORIA, British Columbia, Aug. 19. THE American quartet of Michael Phelps, Neil Walker, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak closed what had began as a tough night for the United States by taking the 400-meter freestyle relay world record away from the South Africans with a jaw-dropping 3:12.46 that cleared the 3:13.17 set in 2004.<\/p>\n
After an initial split of more than 48 seconds, the Americans went sub-48 the rest of the way en route to the amazing finale of the third night of competition at the 2006 Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships.<\/p>\n
Phelps started the U.S. contingent off with a 48.83, which actually fell off the pace set by Roland Schoeman during the previous record as the South African led off with a 48.17.<\/p>\n
Walker, however, started making up the distance with an incredible 47.89 during the second leg that eclipsed the 48.13 split posted by Lyndon Ferns for the South Africans during the old record swim.<\/p>\n
The Americans took the lead during the third leg as budding superstar sprinter Jones completely blew away the third split during the previous record swim of 48.96 by Darian Townsend with a sizzling 47.96.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels great to be a part of this team,\u201d Jones said. \u201cBeing a rookie, I\u2019ve always looked up to these guys. It\u2019s good to bring (the record) back to the U.S.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lezak then closed out the new world record for the Americans with an astounding 47.78 anchor leg, which bettered the 47.91 set by Ryk Neethling during the South African record two years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI looked up at the 250 and saw that Cullen was ahead of world record pace, and I knew I was going to have to bring it home strong,\u201d Lezak said. \u201cThese guys put me in a great position.\u201d<\/p>\n
In other action, Canada\u2019s team of Rick Say, Brent Hayden, Colin Russell and Matt Rose earned silver in 3:16.12, while Australia\u2019s Eamon Sullivan, Andrew Mewing, Leith Brodie and Kenrick Monk garnered bronze in 3:16.42.<\/p>\n
Incidentally, the U.S. time of 3:12.46 also blasted the American meet-record time of 3:15.11 set 11 years ago in Atlanta on Aug. 12, 1995.<\/p>\n