Canada's Maggie Mac Neil sets world record to win gold medal in 50m backstroke

Canada's medal haul at the world short-course swimming championship in Abu Dhabi continued on Monday.

Maggie Mac Neil of London Ont., swam to a world record in the 50-metre backstroke as she finished with a time of 25.27. Kylie Masse of La Salle, Ont., was 0.35 seconds behind to grab silver in 25.62. Sweden's Louise Hansson finished in third. 

WATCH | Mac Neil wins gold in 50m backstroke:

Canada has won 12 medals so far at the competition.

Earlier in the day, Sydney Pickrem claimed gold in the 200m individual medley after earning her way into the finals earlier in the day with the third-fastest time in the heats.

Pickrem, from Halifax, trailed USA's Kate Douglass and China's Yiting Yu after the first 100 metres, but by the 150m mark was in front and held on to earn the gold in a time of two minutes 4.29 seconds. Yuwas 0.19 seconds back for silver while Douglass claimed bronze and was 0.39 seconds back of the Canadian.

WATCH | Pickrem wins gold in 200m IM:

Canada ended the day by winning gold in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay with a time of 7:32.96, which was 03.57 seconds ahead of the United States who won silver and 06.96 seconds ahead of China who won bronze.

Summer McIntosh, from Toronto, led Canada off and was in third behind China and USA. Kayla Sanchez of Scarborough, Ont., was next in the water and passed both the States and China to give Canada the lead. Katerine Savard of Pont-Rouge, Que. held onto the lead and anchor Rebecca Smith from Red Deer, Alta., only further extended Canada's lead to give them gold.

World short-course swimming championships can be seen live on CBCSports.ca.