Jedrzejczak Betters Own World Record in 200 Fly
On day five, another world record in the women's 200 fly, the fifth here in Montreal, and three championships records out of five finals.

The women's 50 backstroke was up first. Giaan Rooney (AUS) was the surprise winner in 28.62, Gao Chang (CHN) second with 28.69 and Antje Buschschulte (GER) third with 28.72.

All had faster times in the semi-finals, and curiously Janine Pietsch (GER) who set a world record of 28.19 in May, finished sixth with 28.88.

Rooney was once a top 200 freestyle, winner of the 200 freestyle title in 2001.

"This is the one I trained for," Rooney said. "This is the one I came here to win. The time wasn't great, though. I was training for a long time and it paid off. I've been doing this for me and that's the bottom line."

The men's 100 freestyle was won by Filippo Magnini (ITA) in 48.12, for the fastest ever winning time, and his personal best by half-a-second. Magnini was in fourth at the 50, but having held back somewhat had sufficient reserves to have the strongest finish.

Roland Schoeman (RSA) had the lead for about 75 metres, splitting 22.42, well ahead of the world record split of 23.16, but paid the price and faded to second with 48.28, just a tenth of a second shy of his personal best. Ryk Neethling (RSA) split 22.93, and placed third with his best ever time of 48.34.

Jason Lezak (USA) in fourth with 48.74.

Brent Hayden (CAN) in sixth with 48.92, and the first finalist from his country in a decade.

In his first of two finals, Michael Phelps (USA) was seventh with 48.99, off his best of 48.93 from the semi-finals.

"I feel so good," Magnini said. "It was a big surprise. It's my first medal in a World Championships and a great dream come true."

"I was only 22/100ths out of first," Ryk Neethling said. "I knew it was going to be like that. I'm happy I got through. Magnini swims like that. I knew I had to go out with Roland Schoeman, but I just couldn't catch Magnini at the end. It is my best time so I can't complain about that."

The women's 200 butterfly was a fantastic race. Jessica Schipper (AUS), winner of the 100 fly earlier, took the lead from the start (28.24, 1:00.61, 1:32.91), with Otylia Jedrzejczak (POL) close enough (28.90, 1:01.19, 1:33.07) to move into the lead with a few metres remaining, with Schipper finding the strength to move almost even, but Jedrezejczak timed her touch perfectly and won in 2:05.61, bettering her old world record from 2002 of 2:05.78.

Schipper was only 4/100ths behind in 2:05.65.

"I knew it was going to be a touch race," Schipper said. "It is my best by almost three seconds. It is such a great championships. I can't believe my luck."

The men's 200 individual medley was the next final, with Phelps having about an hour to get ready after his earlier 100 free.

Laszlo Cseh (HUN) was in the lead for fly, back, breast (24.82, 53.86, 1:29.04) with Phelps taking the lead at the 150 (25.22, 54.57, 1:29.02), that pretty well settled the race. Phelps won with 1:56.68 and Cseh was second in 1:57.61, his best ever. Phelps superiority on the turns gave him the edge.

Ryan Lochte (USA) third with 1:57.79, his best ever, after competing half-an-hour before in the semi-finals of the 200 backstroke.

"I am very, very tired," Cseh said. "I need to rest two days to be able to win the 400 IM Sunday."

Phelps at a post race press conference: "I rate my performances today at a 7 or 8 out of 10."

The last final was the women's 4x200 freestyle. Australia held the lead through the 600, with splits of Lisbeth Lenton 1:57.06 (third fastest all time), Shayne Reese 2:00.00, Bronte Barratt 1:58.58, and Linda MacKenzie anchor of 1:58.42, which was not enough to hold the USA whose anchor took the lead to win with 7:53.70 to AUS with 7:54.06. China in third with 7:57.29.

The American team was Natalie Coughlin 1:58.82, Katie Hoff 1:58.50, Whitney Myers 1:58.81, and Kaitlin Sandeno 1:57.57.

"I was really excited to swim in the relay," Whitney Myers (USA) said. "I couldn't have asked for a better swim or a better team to do it. I really loved my experience. When I started my leg I was second or third. I'm not sure."

In semi-final events Brendan Hansen (USA) was top qualifier in the 200 breaststroke with 2:10.23. Mike Brown (CAN) was second fastest in 2:11.26, his best ever. It took 2:12.50 to reach the final.

Ten swimmers went under two minutes in the semi-finals of the men's 200 backstroke. Aaron Peirsol (USA) was top qualifier in 1:56.60, and it took a fast 1:58.91 to reach the final.

Jodie Henry (AUS) was the fastest qualifier in the women's 100 freestyle semi-final with 54.52. The cut-off for the finals was 55.13.

The women's breaststroke top qualifier was Leisel Jones (AUS) in 2:25.30, with 2:28.92 being the cut-off for finals.

After five days the USA has the most medals with 17 (8-5-4) and only Australia is still in the hunt with 12 (6-4-2). 18 different countries have one or more medals.