Sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell have helped Australia’s women’s 4x100m relay team set a new record time on their way to Olympic gold.

Madison Wilson and Brittany Elmslie got Australia off to a strong start in the first two legs.

The sisters then chased down their competitors to see the Australian combination beat the USA team to the finish line.

The Australians swam a 3:30.65 to break the record set by Australia’s team at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Madison Wilson, Bronte Campbell and Brittany Elmslie set new record. Photo: AP

A brilliant third leg by Bronte Campbell brought the Australian team under world-record pace, and she handed over a lead to older sister Cate, who powered past US star Katie Ledecky to gold.

USA finished second in 3:31.89 and Canada won the bronze medal in 3:32.89.

The 4x100m freestyle relay was the only swimming gold medal Australia had to defend from the disastrous London 2012 campaign, with Cate and Elmslie the only remaining members of the team.

Elmslie had admitted to some nerves, but said the expectation was not overwhelming.

“You’ve got to rise the occasion when Australian needs you,” she told Channel 7.

Bronte said the team had “saved a bit in the tank” for the final.