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Therese Alshammar, Jessica Hardy and Peter Marshall all broke short course world records on the second day of the World Cup meeting in Durban.

Sweden's Alshammar posted a time of 24.75 seconds in the 50 metres butterfly final, the last race of the meeting, to eclipse the record of 24.99 set by Australia's Marieke Guehrer in Berlin in November 2008.

Guehrer came second in Durban in 25.07 while Netherlands' Hinkelien Schreuder claimed third place in 25.50.

Alshammar had already broken the 100 metres individual medley world record in the morning heats as she clocked 58.51 to better the previous mark of 58.54 set by Australia's Emily Seebohm in Hobart in August.

"I hope for more world records otherwise I wouldn't be standing here," Alshammar said after her second win.

The Swede, who won silver medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, said her training regime and a growing maturity helped her set records.

"I had a great year in the pool last year and then I trained for six months in Sydney. It was a great experience and I learnt not to expect too much too soon and when things happen for you it makes it all the more special," she said.

American Hardy bettered her own 50 metres breaststroke mark.

Hardy swept home in 29.45 seconds to beat her previous mark of 29.58 set in Manchester last April.

"I haven't been swimming as well as I would have liked so to have started so well in the World Cup series is great," Hardy said.

"It was an easy swim and I would have been happy with just a good time," she added.

The 22-year-old was in control of the race from the start as she held off the German pair of Kerstin Vogel, who finished second in 30.57, and Caroline Ruhnau who came third in 31.01.

American Marshall broke the 50 metres backstroke record with a time of 22.75 seconds.

Marshall eclipsed the previous mark of 22.87 set by compatriot Randall Ball in Berlin in November 2008.

"I thought I had a good chance of breaking the record," the 27-year-old said. "I felt pretty good swimming the 100 (on Friday) and my sprinting is pretty good at the moment.

"As the (World Cup) series goes on my endurance will improve which will improve my 100 metres times."

Marshall was rarely tested in the 50, comfortably holding off second-placed Stanislav Donets of Russia (23.63). Ashley Delaney of Australia was third in 23.74.

Reuters