EAST MEADOW, NY - How do you top one world record? Would you believe two more. That's what Natalie Coughlin (USA) did on the second day of the 2002-2003 FINA World Cup 2.

First she shattered her own 100 backstroke record from last year of 57.08 lowering it to 56.71 (1040 points), then she added the 100 individuasl medley with a 58.80 (the old mark was 59.30). That would give her five golds in five swims and three (100 fly, 100 back, and 100 IM) world records.

The 100 backstroke swim was something to behold. Sheer technical perfection and a three body length margin of victory over the world class field. She kicked to the maximum allowable distance of 15 metres on each of the four lengths than took four times nine strokes. Splitting 27.60 and 29.21. That's 36 strokes. A year ago she took 39 to cover the full distance. So distance per stroke is where the improvement came.

"This is a special pool," Coughlin said. "My first meet here was my worst. Now I've had two of my very best. It's a great thrill."

Haley Cope (USA) was second with 1:00.05 and Nina Zhivanevskaya (ESP) third with 1:00.21.

Later she added the 100 IM world record with a huge lead of almost two body lengths after the fly-back turning in 26.41 and increasing her lead to shatter the old record of 59.30 with her 58.80. Gabrielle Rose (USA) in second with 1:00.87 and Alison Sheppard (GBR) third in 1:01.30.

Medical student Jenny Thompson (USA) didn't seem short of training as she won the 100 free with 53.59 over a world class field. Alison Sheppard (GBR) in second with 54.35 and Courtney Shealy (USA) third 54.41.

"My classmates from Columbia University came out to cheer," Thompson said. "That really psyched me. I don't have the time to train as I used to. I'm rushing around all day." It didn't seem to matter. Thompson added a second in the 50 fly as world record holder Anna-Karin Kammerling (SWE) caught Jenny at the finish 25.74 to 25.84. Thompson had a full second lead at the 25.

Other top swims: Amanda Beard (USA) winning the 200 breast in 2:21.42, an American record.

Lindsay Benko (USA) won the 400 free in 4:06.83 after undergoing shoulder surgery in September.

Alenka Kejzar (SLO) won the 400 IM today with 4:37.18 after she took the 200 IM yesterday.

Top men's performnace of the competition was by Pieter van den Hoogenband (NED) in his win in the 200 freestyle in 1:43.54 (997 points) over Kvetoslav Svoboda (CZE) 1:44.95 and Michael Phelps (USA) 1:46.47.

"I'm happy with the time," van den Hoogenband said. "I went as hard as I could and wanted to be under 1:44."

Phelps then went on to win the 200 individual medley in 1:57.12 over James Hickman (GBR) 1:57.17 and Tamas Kerekjarto (HUN) 1:57.36). Phelps also won the 200 backstroke in 1:54.30.

Oleg Lisogor (UKR) won the 100 breast in 59.30, having won the 50 breast and 100 IM yesterday to give him three wins in three swims.

Jason Lezak (USA) won the 50 free 21.66 over Jose Martin Meolans (ARG) in second with 21.70. Bart Kizierowski (POL) third with 21.82.

"I'm excited to beat such a strong field, including world record holder Mark Foster (fifth)" Lezak said. He'll be competing in Shanghai next, and the three meets in Europe.

Thomas Rupprath (GER) won the 100 fly with 51.17 over James Hickman (GBR) in 51.27. Rupprath won the 50 fly yesterday and was second in the 200 fly.

Final record totals were 3 World, 3 World Cup, and 6 American.

22 countries won at least one medal with the USA taking 15 golds and a total of 40. Great Britain was next best with 4 golds and 10 total.

World Cup 3 in Shanghai (CHN) next weekend, the first of two Asian/Oceania stages followed by Melbourne (AUS) and three in Europe during January.