HURLEY JOINS WORLD RECORD CLUB IN SYDNEY

SYDNEY, October 26: Australia has tonight unearthed another world record holder at the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup with 20-year-old AIS-based Wollongong student Robert Hurley lowering a four-year-old world mark in the 50 metres backstroke.

Hurley stepped out for the first time in the full length Speedo bodysuit and took 0.03 secs off German legend Thomas Rupprath's 2004 world mark with a time of 23.24secs.

Asked "where did that came from?" Hurley replied "I've got no idea...I just decided to wear the full suit for the first time...I got to the pool early because I knew it would take me 20 minutes to get the suit on, put the headphones on and got myself prepared.

"The suit makes you feel so good under water and that's a strong part of my race and I'm just very happy."

It followed hot on the trail of Matt Jaukovic's world record last night of 22.50 in the 50 metres butterfly.

The pair will now embark on the next four FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cups in Singapore, Moscow, Stockholm and Berlin.

Earlier in the year Hurley finished third in the 400m freestyle behind Grant Hackett and Craig Stevens at the Telstra Olympic Trials.

Meanwhile Tunisia's Beijing golden boy Oussama Mellouli took his number of wins to 14 from the first two legs, taking his number of Sydney wins to six tonight with wins in the 1500m freestyle, 200m freestyle and the 200m individual medley to go with his wins last night in the 100 band 400m individual medley and 400jm freestyle. - Ian Hanson