In a jaw-dropping feat that has the swimming world buzzing, American sensation Gretchen Walsh just smashed a record that had stood untouched for 16 years, all while setting a new standard in the U.S. Open – and it's got everyone wondering just how far human limits can be pushed!
But here's where it gets really exciting: this isn't just about one incredible swim; it's about Walsh proving she's in a league of her own in the high-octane world of short course meters (SCM) racing, where every second counts in a 25-meter pool. If you're new to swimming, think of SCM as the 'sprint version' of the sport – shorter distances mean faster races, tighter turns, and records that highlight pure explosiveness. And Walsh? She's turning heads by dominating the women's 50-meter butterfly like never before.
Dive into the details of the 2025 Swimming World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, held from October 10-12. This event is all about short course action, and you can follow every splash via Meet Central on the World Aquatics site, check out the psych sheets for entries, catch live results from Omega Timing, or grab all the handy links from SwimSwam. For live recaps, tune in to the prelims on Day 1 and Day 2, plus the finals on Day 1 – it's like having a front-row seat to history in the making.
Now, let's break down the records that Walsh targeted in the women's 50 butterfly prelims. The world record stands at an astonishing 23.94, set by Walsh herself in 2024. The world junior record is 24.55 by Claire Curzan of the United States back in 2021. The World Cup record, which Walsh obliterated, was 24.38 by Sweden's Therese Alshammar in 2009. And the U.S. Open record, previously held by France's Beryl Gastaldello at 24.81 from 2019, got a fresh makeover too.
Here's how the top 8 swimmers stacked up:
- Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 24.13 New World Cup and U.S. Open Record
- Alexandria Perkins (AUS) – 24.79
- Alex Shackell (CLB) – 25.51
- Charlotte Crush (CLB) – 25.57
- Kasia Wasick (POL) – 25.65
- Vanessa Hazel Ouwehand (NZL) – 25.66
- Leah Shackley (CLB) – 26.02
- Roos Vanotterdijk (BEL) – 26.09
Walsh's swim was nothing short of electrifying, clocking in at 24.13 to chop a full 0.25 seconds off the old World Cup record. That mark had been set by Alshammar way back in 2009, and Walsh made it look easy. But wait – her performance also snatched the U.S. Open record right after Australia's Alexandria Perkins had just nudged it down to 24.79 in the prior heat. Perkins shaved a tiny 0.02 off Gastaldello's 2019 time, only for Walsh to come roaring in with a 24.13, blasting past by a whopping 0.66 seconds. Talk about a comeback!
And this is the part most people miss: The 50 butterfly is Walsh's absolute powerhouse event. She owns the world record at 23.94, achieved at the 2024 Short Course World Championships, where she became the first woman ever to dip under 24 seconds – a milestone that showed just how much room there was for improvement in this lightning-fast race. Her Carmel performance ranks as the fourth-fastest in history, and get this – the top three are all hers too, from that same groundbreaking 2024 meet.
To put it in perspective for beginners, here's the all-time top 5 women's SCM 50 fly performances, showcasing Walsh's unparalleled edge:
- 23.94 – Gretchen Walsh (2024)
- 24.01 – Gretchen Walsh (2024)
- 24.02 – Gretchen Walsh (2024)
- 24.13 – Gretchen Walsh (2025)
- 24.38 – Therese Alshammar (2009)
Walsh's record-shattering prelim didn't stop there – it marked her third and fourth records at this meet alone. On Day 1, she conquered the 100 individual medley in 55.91, claiming both the World Cup and U.S. Open records there as well. With the 100 butterfly coming up tomorrow as her final event, where she's seeded number one, fans are on the edge of their seats. Could this be the start of even more dominance?
But here's where it gets controversial: With Walsh holding four of the top five times in this event's history, is her total command of the 50 fly a thrilling sign of progress in swimming, pushing athletes to new heights? Or does it raise concerns about the sport becoming too one-sided, potentially stifling competition and innovation? For instance, some might argue that such dominance in short course events doesn't always translate to long course (50-meter pool) success, questioning whether we're seeing a specialized era where sprinters like Walsh excel only in these formats. What do you think – is this the dawn of a new swimming dynasty, or should we worry about balance in the sport? Share your opinions in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree or disagree!
In This Story
- Gretchen Walsh
Gretchen Walsh
