Phelps collects fifth gold as US break relay record

MELBOURNE, Mar 30 (Reuters) Michael Phelps collected his fifth gold medal of the world championships as the United States set a world record of seven minutes 03.24 seconds in the men's 4x200 metres freestyle relay final today.

Phelps combined with Ryan Lochte, Klete Keller and Peter Vanderkaay to wipe 1.42 off the previous record of 7:04.66 set by Australia at the 2001 world championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

Australia finished a distant second in 7:10.05 and Canada grabbed the bronze in 7:10.70.

Phelps has won gold medals in each of the five events he has contested at Melbourne, including four in world record time, and is chasing eight in all.

Lochte had the distinction of setting two world records today after he broke Aaron Peirsol's mark to win the 200 backstroke final.

REUTERS SAM RN1750