EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — Federica Pellegrini set a world record in the women's 400-meter freestyle today at the European swimming championships.

The Italian, fifth in the world championships last year, won in 4 minutes, 1.53 seconds, easily beating the old world mark of 4:02.13 set by Laure Manaudou of France two years ago at the last European championships.

Pellegrini rebounded after being disqualified for a false start in the 200 freestyle heats.

"Of course I was a bit upset because of my disqualification in the 200 free," she said. "Today I desperately wanted to win gold but didn't at all reckon with such a time."

Coralie Balmy of France was second in 4:04.15, and Camelia Potec of Romania was third in 4:05.62.

It was the second world record of the night after Marleen Veldhuis earlier lowered the 50-meter freestyle mark.