SYDNEY, Australia — Libby Trickett broke the world record in the women's 50-meter freestyle, finishing in 23.97 seconds at the Australian swimming championships and Olympic trials today.

Trickett, formerly Libby Lenton but competing under her married name for the first time at this event, topped Marleen Veldhuis's mark of 24.09 by .12 seconds.

Trickett has both the 50 and 100-meter freestyle world records after setting a new mark in the 100 on Thursday when she beat the 53.30 mark set by Germany's Britta Steffen in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 2, 2006.

Today, Trickett lowered her personal best time by more than half a second in the 50.

"I never really thought I could go this quick before," Trickett said. "I have not been able to put together a good 50 meters before. But after the 100, I was just so excited for this race."

Dutch swimmer Veldhuis set the 50-meter mark last Monday at the European championships. It was the eighth world record set at the Australian titles at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, site of the 2000 Olympics swimming competition.