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ROME, Italy, July 31. GERMANY's Britta Steffen has been on fire in the women's 100 free over the past few weeks. This evening was no different as she lowered her world record in the event at the FINA World Championships.
As a relay leadoff, Steffen clocked a 52.22 earlier this meet. Tonight, she won the world title with a 52.07 after a strong back half. The 100 free has followed this progression this year:
52.88 Libby Trickett, AUS – Sydney 03-29-08
52.85p Britta Steffen, GER – Berlin 06-25-09
52.56 Britta Steffen, GER – Berlin 06-27-09
52.22r Britta Steffen, GER – Rome 07-26-09
52.07 Britta Steffen, GER – Rome 07-31-09
Great Britain's Fran Halsall raced by Australia's Libby Trickett for silver with a 52.87, while Trickett settled for bronze with a 52.93.
Amanda Weir (53.12) and Dana Vollmer (53.30) of the United States finished outside of the medals with a fourth and fifth place effort.
Meanwhile, The Netherlands' Ranomi Kromowidjojo (53.37), Denmark's Jeanette Ottesen (53.70) and Hungary's Evelyn Verraszto (53.92) completed the finale.