Three for the Dutch world-record-breakers were back in action in the prelims of the 100m freestyle at a home European Championships in Eindhoven. In the relative calm of heats, it is easier to see more readily what they are beating the world at.

Marleen Veldhuis, 53.77, Inge Dekker, 54.08, and Ranomi Kromowidjoj, 54.24, were joined not by quartet member Femke Heemskerk but relay reserve Hinkelien Schreuder, 54.59. Hard to find a more impressive set of morning heat swims from four of the best five swimmers in one nation.

None of the women swim the same but one thing stood out a mile to anyone who cared to look: their skills are superior. Out of dive, into stroke, into turn, out of turn, the smoothness of flow into stroke and the nailing of finishes were, for the most part, far better than the skills of rivals in the next lanes.

Coming good at the right time is former world champion Hanna-Maria Seppala, of Finland, who pressed Veldhuis with a 54.00 effort in a heat that saw Therese Alshammar (SWE), clock 55.48 back in fifth but good enough to progress.There is a sense of deja vu about proceedings for the Swedish sprinter: at her best in 2000, she was confined to silver by Inge de Bruijn (NED). Eight years on and having got back to very best, she is now surrounded by the latest generation of Orange speedsters.

In the 200m medley, Lazslo Cseh (HUN) looked very smooth indeed, clocking a 1:59.08 without a hint of stress.