Swimming-Phelps eyes butterfly world record in final

By Steve Keating

INDIANAPOLIS, July 9 (Reuters) - Michael Phelps targeted the 100 metres butterfly world record after posting the fastest time in the morning heats at the U.S. national championships on Thursday.

Ian Crocker's mark of 50.40 seconds set at the 2005 world championships has been on Phelps's radar since he came within a whisker of it in Montreal three weeks ago with a swim of 50.48, the third fastest time ever.

"This is the event I was looking forward to the most," Phelps told reporters. "In Montreal I had no idea what the record was until after the race.

"To be so close gets you excited for tonight."

Despite recording the fastest times this year on the way to winning the 200m free and 200m fly on Wednesday, Phelps has not been impressed with his performances because they have not included any personal bests.

The 24-year-old American, however, declared himself pleased with his effort in the 100m fly heats and his qualifying time of 51.17 but will be looking for more speed on the front end of his race in the final.

"I'm happier with this morning's race than I was last night," said Phelps, in his first major competition since his record eight gold medal haul at the Beijing Olympics.

Evergreen Dara Torres, winner of three silver medals in Beijing, continued to defy her age by clocking the top time of 24.72 in the 50m free heats.

A top-two finish in the evening final would earn the 42-year-old mother a place in the U.S. world championship team.

"It's great to be here," said Torres, who has appeared in five Olympic Games but gunning for just her second world championship team.

"It's funny, all morning I feel sick about it then the minute I walk out there I feel good and I'm happy and ready to go."

(Editing by Ed Osmond. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)