World Best Relay for the Netherlands

VIENNA - The women's team from the Netherlands bettered the four-year-old world best in the 4x50 medley with a 1:48.21, bettering the old mark by 1/10ths. It gave them a sweep of the women's relays.

The team was made up with Hinkelein Schreuder 27.99, Moniek Nijhuis 30.66, Inge Dekker 26.06 and Marleen Veldhuis 23.50.

In other highlights:
Yuri Prilukov (RUS) swam a well paced 1500 freestyle with a winning time of 14:31.92, just 1/10th off his European record from a year ago. Massimiliano Rosolino (ITA) had the early lead until 500, then David Davies (GBR) moved into the lead and held it until the final 100 when Prilukov burst into the lead.

"It was good that I defended my title," Prilukov said. "It makes up somewhat for my 4th place in Athens."

"I knew it would be difficult if Prilukov was beside me with 200 to go" Davies said. "He is simply too strong in the finish. I'm still having trouble with my turns, and I have to improve them for the future."

"The first 500 was easy," Rosolino said. "After, it became increasingly harder. It's my second best time. I plan to concentrate on the 400-1500 free for next summer."

Frederic Bousquet (FRA) won the 100 freestyle in 47.52 (22.72), with Filippo Magnini (ITA) in second with 47.66 (23.21) and Jens Schreiber (GER) third in 48.00.

"The 50 is my best event," Bousquet said. "I only managed a fifth, so this makes up for that. After such a long competitive year, I need a break." Bousquet is the world short course record holder in the 50 free.

"Second is not so bad," Magnini said. "But wait until next time."

Nikolay Skvortsov (RUS) won the 200 fly in 1:52.90 WITH Pawel Korzeniowski (POL) just behind in 1:53.19 and Ioan Gherghel (ROM) third with 1:54.86.

"I wanted to win," Skvortsov said. "But I really felt the effects of the fast 100 from yesterday, especially on the last 50."

Oleg Lisogor (UKR) won his fourth consecutive title in the 50 breast in 26.92.

Women highlights:
Keri-Anne Payne (GBR) won the 400 free in 4:03.60 a six second improvement over her previous best, with Daria Parshina (RUS) in second with 4:04.56 and Erika Villaecija (ESP) in third 4:06.05.

"I though a medal was possible," Payne said, "But winning the gold at my first international meet is incredible."

"It was a Russian record," Parshina said. "My first senior championship medal. Now I'll focus on the long course season."

Alexandra Urbanczyk (POL) won the 100 IM in 1:00.75, with Lisa Chapman (GBR) in second with 1:00.88 and Teresa Rohmann (GER) third in 1:01.18,

Ante Buschschulte (GER) won the 50 back in 27.42, with Katerina Zubkova (UKR) in second with 27.50 and Ilona Hlavackova (CZE) third in 27.57,

The Germans are leading in the medals with 14 (7-3-4) with Russia with 10 (3-5-2) and Ukraine in third with 7 (2-4-1). 20 countries have won at least a medal out of the 35 taking part.

The championships end tomorrow with 12 finals.

RATING SUMMARY OF TOP PERFORMANCES after Day 3
1)	1007	1:48.21	4x50 medley W	Netherlands,NED
2)	1007	23.27	50 back M	Rupprath Thomas,77,GER
3)	1007	1:51.24	200 back M	Rogan Markus,82,AUT
4)	1003	1:48.52	4x50 free W	Germany,GER
5)	1003	4:03.96	400 im M	Cseh Laszlo,85,HUN
6)	998	14:31.92	1500 free M	Prilukov Yuri,84,RUS
7)	997	1:34.94	4x50 medley M	Ukraine,UKR
8)	997	14:32.56	1500 free M	Davies David,85,GBR
9)	996	8:17.39	800 free W	Rigamonti Flavia,81,SUI
10)	994	3:39.66	400 free M	Rosolino Massi,78,ITA