An exchangeable sequence of random variables is constructed with all finite-dimensional distribution functions having an Archimedean copula (as defined by Schweizer and Sklar (1983)). Through a monotone transformation of this exchangeable sequence, we obtain and characterize the class of exchangeable sequences possessing the max-stable property as defined by De Haan and Rachev (1989). Several parametric examples are given.

Records from the sequence Yn = Xn + cn, n ≧ 1 are analyzed, where {Xn} is a strictly stationary random sequence. We prove various limit theorems for the record rate, record times, and record values. The situation when {Xn} is a stationary Gaussian process is considered with special attention given to Gaussian ARMA sequences. Data for the 400 and 800 metre races are used to illustrate these results.

Consequences of embedding sequences {Mn} in an extremal-F process are discussed where Mn represents the maximum of n independent (but not necessarily identically distributed) random variables. Various limit theorems are proved for the sample record rate, record times, inter-record times, and record values. These results are illustrated with applications to three particular record models: the Yang (1975) record model where population size increases geometrically, a record model where linear improvement is present, and a record model incorporating features of the previous two.

We consider records from the sequence Yj = Xj, + cj, j ≧ 1 where c > 0 if upper records are of interest and c < 0 if lower records are studied. If {Xj} is stationary the record rate is asymptotically constant and if {Xj} is i.i.d. the record rate is, in addition, asymptotically normal. These results are illustrated by analysis of the times in the mile run.