US quartet smash world record in women's 4x200m relay

MELBOURNE, Mar 29 (Reuters) The United States set a world record of seven minutes 50.09 seconds to win the women's 4x200 metres freestyle relay final at the world championships today.

The American combination of Natalie Coughlin, Dana Vollmer, Lacey Nymeyer and Katie Hoff wiped 0.73 off the previous record of 7:50.82 set by Germany at last year's European championships in Budapest.

The German team of Meike Freitag, Britta Steffen, Petra Dallman and Annike Lurz finished second in 7:53.82.

Laure Manaudou, who broke the individual 200 freestyle world record on Wednesday, anchored France to third place in 7:55.96 after Alena Popchanka, Sophie Huber and Aurore Mongel swam the first three legs.

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