Katie Hoff, 18, continued to clock world-class times mid-season: at the Toyota Grand Prix at the Ohio State University, Hoff started the session with a 4:34.49 400m medley, ahead of Olympic silver medallist Kaitlin Sandeno, on 4:43.66.

'I took some chances with the race going out and it was the best first 200 I've had,' said Hoff. Much more to come then.

In the men's equivalent, former Baltimore training partner Michael Phelps clocked 4:13.73, ahead of Club Wolverine teammate Erik Vendt, on 4:17.07. 'The only thing I wanted to do was be faster than I was in [the Missouri Grand Prix] - and I was faster here,' said Phelps on the journey to Beijing.

Peter Vanderkaay is threatening to take the 400m freestyle to a new pool in America, his 3:44.41 at this point in preparation indicative of a title-challenging time come summer trials. The women's equivalent went to Kate Ziegler 4:07.27.

The 50m freestyle saw Fred Bousquet of France and Auburn upset Brazilian Cesar Cielo, 21.90 to 21.93, with Olympic champion from 2000 and 2004, Gary Hall Jr, third in 22.29.

The 200m breaststroke saw world record-holder Brendan Hansen tussle with Longhorn teammate Eric Shanteau, the race ending 2:13.20 to 2:13.33 in Hansen's favour. Olympic champion and world record holder Aaron Peirsol took the 100m backstroke in 54.84a ahead of Longhorn teammate David Cromwell, on 55.26).

Over at in Palo Alto at the Stanford Grand Prix, Natalie Coughlin, world record holder in the 100m backstroke, clocked 2:10.88 in the 200m medley.