The 2026 European Championships women's 4x100m medley relay final was a thrilling display of swimming prowess, with Great Britain claiming the gold medal and setting a new championship record. The race showcased the depth of talent across Europe, with several nations contributing impressive performances. Here's a detailed analysis of the event, with a focus on the key moments and standout swimmers.
Backstroke
The backstroke leg was a highlight, with Sara Curtis of Italy making a significant impact. Curtis sliced three-tenths of a second off the Italian record, clocking a 58.43, which places her as the sixth-fastest swimmer in European history. Her performance was particularly notable, as she outpaced individual gold medalist and European record holder Mary-Ambre Moluh of France, who was seven-tenths of a second slower. Curtis' split was crucial in Italy's overall performance, contributing to their strong showing in the relay.
Alina Gaifutdinova of the Neutral Athletes B team also made her mark, swimming significantly faster than her morning time of 1:00.10. Lauren Cox of Great Britain chose an opportune moment to showcase her speed, recording a 59.67, just 0.22 seconds off her lifetime best. These swimmers' contributions were pivotal in shaping the race's outcome.
Breaststroke
The breaststroke leg witnessed three of the fastest splits in history, with Angharad Evans, Benedetta Pilato, and Mona McSharry all ranking among the top ten performers. Evans, in particular, stood out with a split of 1:03.75, just the second-ever under 1:04. Her performance was a testament to her consistency and speed, as she has achieved six splits under 1:05 this season. Pilato's split of 1:04.53 was a remarkable 1.36 seconds faster than her individual time, showcasing her versatility and strength.
McSharry's split of 1:04.72 was a slight improvement on her morning split, pulling Ireland from 7th to 4th. Her performance was even more impressive considering she had already won a bronze medal in the 50 breast earlier in the evening. McSharry's speed and versatility made her a key contributor to Ireland's relay success.
Butterfly
Daria Klepikova of the Neutral Athletes B team made a significant impact on the butterfly leg with a split of 55.65, three-tenths faster than her previous best of 55.95. This performance was a remarkable improvement on her time from the mixed medley relay, reducing the gap to the leaders from over a second to just 0.21 seconds. Klepikova's speed and consistency were crucial in the team's overall performance.
Angelina Kohler of Germany swam a split of 56.26, just off her personal best of 56.19. Marie Wattel of France had a standout performance, recording a split of 56.65, which was 1.25 seconds faster than her season best and her fastest split since the 2022 season. Keanna MacInnes of Great Britain followed up her 200 fly gold with a 56.81 split, four-tenths under her British record.
Freestyle
The freestyle leg saw Great Britain, Italy, and the Neutral Athletes B team battle it out for the lead. Emma Virginia Menicucci of Italy extended her team's lead over Great Britain with 50 to go, but Freya Colbert of Great Britain demonstrated her closing speed with a 53.27 split, three-quarters of a second under her personal best. Colbert's performance was a testament to her resilience and speed, ultimately securing the win for Great Britain by a tenth of a second.
Menicucci's split of 53.57 was just under her flat start best of 53.75, while Kira Manokhina of the Neutral Athletes B team had her slowest split of the week after strong performances in the mixed medley and free relays. Nina Holt of Germany recorded her fastest swim of the week with a 53.41, four-tenths under her flat start best. Milou van Wijk of the Netherlands had the fastest split in the field for her team, but it wasn't enough to elevate them above 7th place.
Conclusion
The women's 4x100m medley relay final at the 2026 European Championships was a showcase of swimming excellence, with Great Britain's victory setting a new championship record. The race highlighted the depth of talent across Europe, with several nations contributing impressive performances. Sara Curtis, Angharad Evans, Daria Klepikova, and Freya Colbert stood out as key contributors to their teams' success, showcasing their speed, versatility, and consistency. As the Championships continue, these swimmers and others will undoubtedly play pivotal roles in shaping the outcomes of future events.
