Olympic, world and European medallist over both long and short course Federica Pellegrini won the 800m freestyle (8:15.20) with Ireland’s Grainne Murphy continuing what has been a highly successful transition season from junior competition.

Michael Phelps moved to within a single victory of equalling Mark Spitz's hallowed Olympic gold medal-winning record as he destroyed the opposition once again to win the 200metres individual medley at Beijing's Water Cube.