ROME – France-based Federica Pellegrini broke the Italian record in the 400 metres freestyle at the national championships on Sunday.

Pellegrini finished in a time of 3:57.59, taking 1.76 seconds off Alessia Filippi’s mark set two years ago at the SC Europeans in Rijeka.

She is now second fastest ever behind American Kathryn Hoff with 3:57.07.

"The record is not really important, rather the good work which I am performing in Paris,” Pellegrini said.