{"id":266775,"date":"2017-07-21T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2017-07-21T19:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=266775"},"modified":"2017-07-21T12:44:42","modified_gmt":"2017-07-21T19:44:42","slug":"fina-world-championships-predictions-womens-400-medley-relay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/fina-world-championships-predictions-womens-400-medley-relay\/","title":{"rendered":"FINA World Championships Predictions: Women’s 400 Medley Relay"},"content":{"rendered":"

It would take some major development during the eight days of competition at the FINA World Championships for the U.S. women not to enter the final event, the 400 medley relay, heavily favored for gold.<\/p>\n

The American women’s squad won gold in Rio by a full two-second margin, and the second-fastest time of the meet actually came from the U.S. women’s prelims squad, which was buoyed by\u00a0Katie Meili’s\u00a0<\/strong>1:04.93 breaststroke split.<\/p>\n

It’s breaststroke that should be the deciding leg for the U.S. this time: Aside from Russia’s\u00a0Yulia Efimova<\/strong>, no one in the field can keep pace with\u00a0Lilly King<\/strong> on that leg, and Russia does not have three other swimmers\u00a0quick enough to put that team\u00a0in the medal hunt.<\/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

Women’s\u00a0400 Medley Relay<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Current Records:<\/h3>\n

World Record:<\/strong>\u00a0United States — Franklin, Soni, Vollmer, Schmitt\u00a0(2012) — 3:52.05
\nChampionship Record:<\/strong>\u00a0China — Zhao, Chen, Jiao, Li (2009) — 3:52.19
\nAmerican Record:<\/strong> Franklin, Soni, Vollmer, Schmitt\u00a0(2012) — 3:52.05<\/p>\n

2015 World Champion:<\/strong>\u00a0China — Fu, Shi, Lu, Duo– 3:54.41
\n2016 Olympic Gold Medalist:<\/strong>\u00a0United States —\u00a0Baker, King, Vollmer, Manuel — 3:53.13<\/p>\n

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

David Rieder’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0United States
\nSilver:<\/strong>\u00a0Australia
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Canada<\/p>\n

John Lohn’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0United States
\nSilver:<\/strong>\u00a0Australia
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0China<\/p>\n

Andy Ross’ Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0United States
\nSilver:<\/strong>\u00a0Australia
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Sweden<\/p>\n

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

Day One:<\/h3>\n