Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 1:02 PM

Australia's women's 4x100 metres medley relay has taken gold ahead of the USA in the final women's event at the Water Cube.

The Australian team of Emily Seebohm, Leisel Jones, Jessicah Schipper and Libby Trickett finished in a new world record time of 3 minutes 52.69.

The Aussies saw off a stiff challenge from the American team featuring Natalie Coughlin, Rebecca Soni, Christine Magnuson and Dara Torres which finished in 3.53.30.

The Chinese team finished with the bronze in a time of 3.56.10.

The turning point in the race came courtesy of a poor second 50 from US backstroker Coughlin giving Seebohm the chance to rein in the deficit to just 0.11 seconds.

Jones then delivered a sizzling breaststroke leg against her conqueror in the 100m final Soni, before Schipper handed Trickett a 0.87 second lead heading into the final 100.

The 100m silver-medallist then held off a challenge by 41-year-old Torres to touch first and also claim her second gold for the Games.

The Australian's victory adds to the shock success of the 4x200m freestyle relay team and brings the women's and whole Australia swimming team's gold medal tally to five.