{"id":266425,"date":"2017-07-18T15:00:12","date_gmt":"2017-07-18T22:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=266425"},"modified":"2017-07-19T12:46:52","modified_gmt":"2017-07-19T19:46:52","slug":"fina-world-championships-predictions-mixed-400-free-relay__trashed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/fina-world-championships-predictions-mixed-400-free-relay__trashed\/","title":{"rendered":"FINA World Championships Predictions: Mixed 400 Free Relay"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the inaugural mixed 400 free relay at the FINA World Championships in 2015, the United States won gold as\u00a0Missy Franklin<\/strong> out-dueled the Netherlands’\u00a0Femke Heemskerk\u00a0<\/strong>at the finish. This year, a weakened Australian squad should mean the Americans are favored.<\/p>\n

Australia is missing men’s 100 free Olympic gold medalist\u00a0Kyle Chalmers<\/strong>, out of World Champs with a heart issue, and women’s 100 free world record-holder\u00a0Cate Campbell<\/strong>.\u00a0Cameron McEvoy<\/strong> and\u00a0Bronte Campbell\u00a0<\/strong>should be strong here, along with either\u00a0Emma McKeon<\/strong> or\u00a0Shayna Jack<\/strong>, but finding a second man to keep pace with the U.S. will be the challenge.<\/p>\n

The Americans, meanwhile, figure to roll out\u00a0Nathan Adrian<\/strong>,\u00a0Caeleb Dressel<\/strong>,\u00a0Simone Manuel<\/strong> and\u00a0Mallory Comerford<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

Read below to see what\u00a0Swimming World’s\u00a0<\/em>trio of experts think will happen in\u00a0Budapest.\u00a0David Rieder<\/strong>,\u00a0John Lohn<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Andy Ross<\/strong>\u00a0will each offer their predictions for\u00a0who will finish on the podium.<\/p>\n

Mixed 400 Free Relay<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Current Records:<\/h3>\n

World Record:<\/strong>\u00a0United States — Lochte, Adrian, Manuel, Franklin (2015) — 3:23.05
\nChampionship Record:<\/strong> United States — Lochte, Adrian, Manuel, Franklin (2015) — 3:23.05
\nAmerican Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Lochte, Adrian, Manuel, Franklin (2015) — 3:23.05
\n2015 World Champion:<\/strong> United States — Lochte, Adrian, Manuel, Franklin — 3:23.05<\/p>\n

Swimming World Predictions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

David Rieder’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0United States
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Australia
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Russia<\/p>\n

John Lohn’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0United States
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Australia
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Great Britain<\/p>\n

Andy Ross’ Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0United States
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Australia
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Japan<\/p>\n

Previous\u00a0Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Day One:<\/h3>\n