The Missouri Grand Prix in the US witnessed another blast from Katie Hoff: in the 200m freestyle, she set an American record of 1:56.08, off a split of 56.79, the four-lap time a personal best by 1.01sec. The mark US had stood to Natalie Coughlin since she led the USA 4x200m freestyle relay off to a world record victory at Melbourne 2007. Hoff's speed is significant for Laure Manaudou and that 400m clash (let alone the 200m) in Beijing 2008. Manaudou is at her best when setting a blistering pace from the blocks, Grant-Hackett style.

Coughlin clocked 1:57.47, Kara Lynn Joyce 1:58.72 and butterfly ace Kim Vandenberg 1:58.91. Relays eight team with talent on offer to Mr Schubert et al. Joyce also won the 50m free in 24.59, after a heats swim of 24.50, ahead of Dara Torres, clearly recovered from minor surgery, on 24.89, and Coughlin on 25.22.

Hoff, meantime, was back for more fun later: not quite at her 4:32.89 world record but a 4:35.82 US Open record over 400m medley left her comfortably ahead of US-based Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), on 4:37.70.

In the men's sprint, Cesar Cielo (BRA) clocked a 22.01, fast but in the shade of Mr Sullivan, with Fred Bousquet (FRA) on 22.05 and leaving French technical director surely wishing that a 4x50m relay was on the sheet in Beijing.

Michael Phelps clocked 1:45.71 to win the 200m free, almost 2sec down on his world record but a time that would put a huge smile on the face of most still dreaming of such speed. Klete Keller was second in 1:47.54. Phelps was back in later to remind young Brazilian upstart Thiago Pereira who's boss: in 4:14.08 he took the 400m medley by storm, the Brazilian second in 4:18.49, to the 4:22.05 of Ryan Lochte, Melbourne 2007 silver medallist well off his best.

The 200m breaststroke saw Caitlin Leverenz withdraw after a heats 2:26.98, giving way to Keri Hehn, winner on 2:27.13, Olympic bronze medallist Anne Poleska (GER) on 2:28.89, Tara Kirk, on 2:29.08 and Olympic champion Amanda Beard on 2:29.65. The men's equivalent went to Eric Shanteau in 2:10.86, with Brendan Hansen back on 2:12.51.