EAST MEADOW - It was Natalie Coughlin night during second day of finals at this third 2001-2002 FINA World Cup.

She blew the old record in the 100 backstroke of 58.45 away and lowered it to an stunning 57.08.

A bit of history. The first sub-minute women's backstroke time was in 1983. Since then several rule changes, including turning on the stomach for the turn, underwater kicking after the start and the turns for 15m has made short course backstroke more of a kicking event.

Natalie takes advantage of all of this, kicking on her side after each turn for the maximum allowable and has a steady stroke rate for the surface portion. She thus completes the sweep of all three backstroke events with World Cup records, and World record for the 100-200. By a huge margin she was the top performer of this competition.

"I knew my 100 back was my strongest event," Coughlin said. If I could do it in the 200 then I was pretty sure I could go after the world record in the 100. I felt really strong. I am just having fun and that is getting me through it. I went out like it was a 50."

Coughlin added another win in the final race of the competition, the women's 50 fly in 25.83 (American record) over Martin Moravcova (SVK).

Moravcova had another stellar meet with three wins yesterday (200 free, 100 fly, and the 50 free). Today she easily won the 100 free (54.04) and the 100 IM (1:01.28) but with only three minutes between events she met her match in the 50 fly finishing second to Coughlin. She now has a total of five wins here and five from World Cup 2 last weekend for a total of 10. Not bad for four days work. She's off to Shanghai for World Cup 4 next week. Then the European SC and more World Cups in Europe during January.

Anne Poleska (GER) won the 200 breaststroke in 2:22.90. Much to her surprise it was a new European and German record, bettering the old mark of 2:22.92 from 1989.

"It feels awesome," Poleska said. "I always wanted to swim a German national record. That's every swimmer's dream. I didn't prepare to swim well here and I haven't swum well all summer so I came here to see how well I could do."

Swimming has nothing to do with age, just ask Claudia Poll (CRC) winner of the 400 free today in 4:07.37, after picking up a third in the 200 free and a second in the 800 free yesterday.

"Swimming is an amazing sport," Poll said. "I will keep swimming as long as I have the energy. I am 28, I am swimming the 200, 400, and 800 free and I can tell you that age has nothing to do with it."

Another World Cup record for Xuejuan Luo (CHN) in the 50 breaststroke with 30.68 improving on her time 30.71 from Edmonton at World Cup 2 last Saturday.

Other women's winners: Yvette Rodier (AUS) in the 400 IM with 4:45.74 and Mary Descenza (USA) in the 200 fly with 2:08.24.

Jason Lezak (USA) won the 50 free in 21.86, thus sweeping the men's sprinmts. "I stuck my head in and just dug down into every stroke. I have been working on my walls and it helped me out."

Neil Walker (USA) the 50 back in 24.42, added the 200 back with 1:56.38 completed the sweep with yesterday's win in the 100 back. "I am really pleased with my training. When I set the world record in Athens in March 2000, I was ready and rested so tonight, this is a stepping stone for me."

Geoff Huegill (AUS) had the top men's performance in the 50 fly yesterday. Today he had an easy win in the 100 fly with 51.64. "It was a very controlled race. Everything went well and it was out fast. It will be great to get back home. I have been away for almost 2 weeks. I am looking forward to a massage and to eating a hot dog."

Other men's winners: Romain Barnier (FRA) in the 200 free 1:46.13, Chris Thompson (USA) in the 1500 free 14:50.92, Ed Moses (USA) in the 100 breast 1:00.14 and Xavier Marchand (FRA) in the 200 IM 1:59.60.

16 countries shared in the medals. The USA easily won the most with 43 (16-12-15).

After three stages the 2001-2002 FINA World Cup is off to a strong start with nine World Cup and two World Records bettered. No doubt faster times ahead.