Editorial content for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships is sponsored by FINIS, a longtime partner of Swimming World and leading innovator of suits, goggles and equipment. World Championships, Day Seven Prelims: Australia Poised to Press World Record in Mixed Freestyle Relay Can Australia mine a fourth gold medal in relay action at the World Championships? Based on the Dolphins’ performance in the prelims of the mixed 400-meter freestyle relay, it’s a good bet. Behind the foursome of Flynn Southam, Jack Cartwright, Madison Wilson and Meg Harris, the Aussies notched the fastest time of prelims, going 3:21.88. Cartwright (47.81) and Wilson (52.40) had the most impressive splits for the relay. The United States followed in second place, thanks to the efforts of Matt King, Chris Guiliano, Olivia Smoliga and Bella Sims. Team USA touched the wall in 3:23.85. Italy was the third-quickest qualifier in 3:24.39, which was .02 clear of Great Britain. Alessandro Miressi was 47.56 on his leg for Italy while Tom Dean split 47.93 for the British. Plenty of changes will be instituted for the final, such as the likely addition of Kyle Chalmers and Mollie O’Callaghan to the Australian relay. Chalmers and O’Callaghan won gold in their respective 100-meter freestyles and obviously will have a major impact on the outcome. For the United States, Jack Alexy figures to be added for the night session, as he was the silver medalist in the 100 freestyle. Australia owns the world record at 3:19.38, a time that carried it to the gold medal at last summer’s World Championships in Budapest. That relay featured Cartwright, Chalmers, Wilson and O’Callaghan. If Australia goes with a loaded lineup for the final, that world record is unlikely to survive. Photo Courtesy:
