Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
The United States team of Olivia Smoliga (25.97), Katie Meili (29.29), Kelsi Dahlia (24.02), and Mallory Comerford (23.10) wasted no time in the first event of day two of the 2018 FINA Short Course World Championships, racing their way to a dominant world record win in 1:42.38. That smashed the previous world record held by the United States by almost a full second. Each American had the fastest splits of the field for their respective relay leg.
Home team China was second (1:44.31) followed by the Netherlands in third (1:44.57). The Dutch used a strong second 100 from Ranomi Kromowidjojo (24.21) from Femke Heemskerk (23.17) to move up to the bronze medal position and pass Japan over the last leg.
Smoliga’s time in the 50 back also broke the American record in the event, making her the first American under 26 seconds in short course meters.
🚨 WORLD RECORD ALERT 🚨
What a start, today! @USASwimming‘s women broke another #WorldRecord, in the #4x50Medley! 🇺🇸🏊🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/TXzVBnTIFW
The records keep coming in Hangzhou. USA’s ladies showing the way this time in the Women’s 4x50m Medley Relay. See all the action live on 📺 https://t.co/bEozhdW5qV #FINAHangzhou2018 pic.twitter.com/2JHVsWQVdR
— FINA (@fina1908) December 12, 2018