Phelps, Hardy help US set WR in 400 medley relay

MANCHESTER, England — Michael Phelps and Jessica Hardy helped the U.S. men's and women's teams set short-course world records in the 400-meter medley relay.

The American men's team clocked 3 minutes, 20.71 seconds to beat a European all-star team at the Duel in the Pool meet Friday.

Phelps swam the third leg and was joined by Nick Thoman, Mark Gangloff and Nathan Adrian. They broke the mark of 3:23.33 seconds set by Canada in August.

Hardy swam the second leg for the women, and teammates Margaret Hoelzer, Dana Volmer and Amanda Weir set the mark in 3:47.97. They broke the mark of 3:49.45 set by Canada this fall.

Also Friday, American Julia Smit broke the short-course world record in the 400 individual medley. Smit clocked 4:21.04 to break the mark of 4:22.88 set by Kathryn Meaklim of South Africa last month.