Chris Smith proved that no matter how old you are you never lose your class as he shattered a world swimming record at the age of 70 yesterday.

Canadian Smith, of Cobbs Hill Road in Warwick, was part of the Ontario relay team that broke the 4x50 metre mixed medley relay at the Masters World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Smith began the day with an excellent swim in the 400 metre individual medley, his finish of seven minutes, 33.84 seconds being 19 seconds faster than his gold medal performance in the Latin American and Caribbean Championships in Costa Rica last year when he swam for the Bermuda Masters.

In that race he took part in the 65-69 year category, but this week he was in the 70-74 age group and came fourth, four seconds out of a second place finish.

His time also slashed 21 seconds off the Canadian record and means Smith has now broken five national marks in less than ten days.

He broke the 200 metres and 400 metre individual medley records in a 25 metre pool at the Olympic Park in Sydney at the Australian Championships last weekend and then repeated that feat at the Queen Elizabeth II pool this time out. The other record went in the 400 metre freestyle.

The world record came in the combined 280 to 319 year age group when Smith swam with three friends from Ontario.

Arthur Inglis swam the lead-off backstroke, Smith the breaststroke, Judy Oliver the butterfly and Patricia Niblet anchored with the free.

The previous world record was 2:50.73 but Smith and his team steamed home to finish at 2:50.28. Second came a team from Japan and third a team from New England.

Medals are given for the first ten places in the individual events and for the first three places in relays. Many of the swimmers are ranked in the world top ten in their age group in one or more events.

Smith's three fourth place rankings virtually guarantee him a place in the top ten when the 2002 standings are released. He has two more events remaining, the 200 metre freestyle and 200 metre mixed free relay.