Michael Phelps On Losing Streak

The “best swimmer in the world” Michael Phelps was beaten, for the second time, at the Charlotte UltraSwim, losing to French star in the 100-meter freestyle Sunday night.

Phelps touched nearly a full second behind Bousquet, world-record holder in the 50 free, after losing his first final in nearly a year the previous night. Aaron Peirsol beat Phelps in the 100 backstroke.

Bousquet went out strong, ensuring he had a big enough lead to hold off Phelps at the end, even as the the man who has won more Olympic medals than anyone experimented with a new straight-arm stroke that is supposed to provide more speed.

The French swimmer touched in 48.22 seconds, while Phelps finished second in 49.04.

“The biggest thing that killed me were my turns and my finishes,” said Phelps, who holds the American record in the 100 free at 47.51. “I’m not disappointed with that time, but the finish was awful. There’s small things I need to work on. But overall, it was a good meet.”