Kate Douglass takes back 50m freestyle world record in Pan Pacs prelims

Bobby Goddin via Getty Images

After missing the 100 freestyle world record by the smallest margin in swimming last night, Kate Douglass broke the 50m freestyle world record in prelims Saturday morning, and she crushed it.

Touching in 23.49, Douglass torched through 50 meters from the moment she left the blocks.

Douglass’ swim marks the latest swing in a world record that's changed hands between Douglass and training partner Gretchen Walsh all summer long. The two former Virginia standouts have been trading the fastest 50 free in history back since Douglass first broke the record in June.

Walsh had the record most recently, and now it's back with Douglass, fueling a rivalry between the two training partners that has quietly become one of the most compelling storylines in the sport this year.

The swim adds an extraordinary week for Douglass at Pan Pacs. She opened the meet with a silver medal in the 50 butterfly, then teamed up with Walsh, Van Mathias and Will Modglin to break the world record in the mixed 4x100 medley relay that same night.

Her 100 breaststroke bid on day two ended in fourth after McKenzie Siroky continued her upset run over the field, but Douglass bounced back in a big way on day three, leading off the American women's 4x100 freestyle relay in 51.69, the second-fastest 100 free in history, to help the U.S. to a new American Record and gold.

Now, with a world record in the 50 free, Douglass has been part of a world record on two separate occasions at this meet alone, and it was almost three.

She'll look to back up her 23.49 in tonight's final, where the pressure shifts from breaking the record to defending it in a head-to-head final duel with Walsh. Given how both women have swum throughout the week, the crowd in Irvine has endless reason to be excited for the showdown between Douglass and Walsh. who has to answer this swim the way she's answered every one of Douglass's all summer, will be watching as closely as anyone.

The women’s 50m freestyle Pan Pacs final is set to commence at approximately 10:35 EST (7:35 PT) streaming live on Peacock and USA Swimming’s YouTube Channel.