Pan Pacific Championships, Irvine, California, day 4:
Women's 4x100m Medley Relay
The US quartet brought the American meet to a fitting close among women with a 3:55.23 championship record that came off a terrific set of splits that took them inside the 3:55.74 at which AUS set the world record to win the 2007 world title.
- Natalie Coughlin - 59.85; Rebecca Soni - 1:05.35; Dana Vollmer - 56.91; Jessica Hardy - 53.12.
Australians Emily Seebohm (59.34, a championship record), and Leisel Jones (1:05.38) gave the Dolphins a leading start but the gold slipped away as Alicia Coutts (57.86) and Yolane Kukla (54.38) felt the heat of the hosts. Silver in 3:56.96. Japan took bronze in 3:57.75, with Aya Terakawa (59.41), Satomi Suzuki (1:06.54) and Yuka Kato (57.96), Canadia locked out back on 4:03.08.
Trans-Atlantic splits:
USA: Natalie Coughlin - 59.85; Rebecca Soni - 1:05.35; Dana Vollmer - 56.91; Jessica Hardy - 53.12. - 3:55.23
GBR: Gemma Spofforth, 1:00.39; Kate Haywood, 1:07.50; Fran Halsall, 57.46; Amy Smith, 54.37 - 3:59.72
Trans-Atlantic medals:
- Pan Pacs: 3:55.23; 3:56.96; 3:57.75
- Euro 1-3: 3:59.72; 4:01.18; 4:03.22 (Rus, DQ: 3:59.39)
Records
Shiny suit era
- WR: 3:52.19 CHN Jul 2009
- ER: 3:55.79 GER Jul 2009
February 1 2008
- WR: 3:55.74 AUS Mar 2007
- ER: 4:00.72 GER Jul 2004
