Australian Sam Short sets new Pan Pac record as US swimmers dominate relays

Australia’s Sam Short won the men’s 400 m freestyle in Irvine, posting a 3:40.52 that eclipsed Ian Thorpe’s 1999 Pan Pacific record and established a new U.S. Open mark. Short led from the third 50 m and extended his advantage to finish almost two seconds ahead of China’s Zhang Zhanshuo, who took silver, while American Aaron Shackell earned bronze with a lifetime best.

In the women’s 100 m butterfly, world-record holder Gretchen Walsh captured gold in 55.15, more than a second ahead of Canada’s Taylor Ruck. Walsh’s split of 25.16 on the opening 50 m placed her within a whisker of her own world record pace, and the win gave her the 18th fastest time in the event’s history.

The United States posted record-breaking performances in both 4×100 m freestyle relays. The women’s team of Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske and Simone Manuel finished in 3:29.32, setting a new championship, U.S. Open and American record. Douglass opened with a 51.69 split, the second-fastest ever recorded. The men’s quartet of Chris Guiliano, Patrick Sammon, Destin Lasco and Jack Alexy touched in 3:09.01, also a new championship and U.S. Open record, with Alexy’s anchor leg of 46.78 securing the margin over Australia’s 3:09.57.

Other highlights included Lani Pallister’s victory in the women’s 400 m freestyle, Regan Smith’s win in the 200 m backstroke, and Japan’s Yumeki Kojima taking gold in the men’s 200 m backstroke. Tang Qianting of China set a U.S. Open record in the women’s 50 m breaststroke, while Australia’s Sam Williamson broke the men’s 50 m breaststroke championship record with a 26.36 finish.