Kiwi swimmer Erika Fairweather has made a flying start to the 2023 World Cup circuit in Berlin by smashing the meet record for the women's 400m freestyle.
Fairweather smashed the previous mark, set by fellow New Zealander Lauren Boyle in Dubai in 2015, by more than three seconds with a time of 4:01.09.
The 19-year-old was pushed throughout her race by Australian Lani Pallister before Fairweather made her move in the closing 50 to finish 0.98s ahead.
The time is the fourth-fastest of Fairweather's career, having earlier this year joined the elite sub-four-minute club when she won bronze at the World Championships with a career-best 3:59.59.
Her other two fastest efforts were also recorded this year when she swam 4:00.97 in March followed by a 4:00.62 effort in April, which were both national records before her milestone swim in July.
Fairweather returns to the pool tonight for the 200m freestyle heats.
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