US hopefuls dressed for success and record assault

INDIANAPOLIS: Swimmers experimented with hi-tech suits on the first day of the US National championships on Tuesday, setting the stage for another assault on the world record book.

The times should be lightning quick at the Natatorium, a venue in which 11 world records have been broken, as swimmers bid to qualify for this month's world championships in Rome.

The first event offered a hint of what may lie ahead when Christine Magnuson flew off blocks in the 100 meters butterfly preliminary heats, made the turn in under world record time and cruised home in 57.39 seconds.