Although the 1500 free was not originally a scheduled event at the Indianapolis stop of the 2022 FINA World Cup, FINA has approved the addition of a head-to-head women’s 1500 free race between Katie Grimes and Alexa Reyna set to occur after the preliminary heats session of the meet on Friday, November 4. The race was labeled as a “World Junior Record attempt”, allowing both swimmers to attempt to break Merve Tuncel‘s World Junior record time of 15:45.29 (and for Reyna, to beat Laure Manadou’s French record time of 15:42.39 as well).
For Grimes, the World Junior record is very well within reach. In fact, her long course meters personal best of 15:44.89 is faster than the short course world junior record. In addition, her short course yards personal best of 15:34.72 converts to a 15:34.86 in short course meters, which is well under the world junior record. This weekend’s 1500 free time trial will mark her first time swimming the 1500 free in short course meters.
Reyna, on the other hand, has experience racing short course meters. Her best time, which was set at last winter’s French Junior Championships, currently stands at 16:06.55. She’s also been as fast as 16:21.76 in yards. It’s going to take a bit more work for her compared to Grimes to chase the World Junior and French records, but considering that she dropped from a long course PB of 16:48.25 to a 16:21.46 this past summer, it’s certainly possible that she could see the same improvement in short course.
Breaking the World Junior Record does not subject swimmers to the $10,000 bonus that one gets for breaking the World Record.
Why not let other women swim the 1500 too?
How bizarre that FINA is actually doing something fan-friendly and for the good of the sport.
Agreed
nah but this is actually cool! everybody’s always complaining about FINA and how disconnected they are from the athletes, swim fans and what they want (and rightfully so).
but this is nice, i like it a lot
Wait what’s this? It’s Summer McIntosh with the deck entry!
CRASH! “My God! That’s Stone Cold Steve Austin’s music!”
No its Dean Farris dressed in a Katie Grimes halloween costume.
This is awesome, FINA should do this more often. Imagine a meet where there isn’t any prestige for places or anything, you just have like 3-4 swimmers each a lane apart going for records. Could even add financial incentives for breaking records, that way you attract the talent that’s got the best chance at breaking the records.
grimes is clearing wbk
lets call it the Jake Mitchell effect
Is Grimes eligible for money?
Maybe.
NIL rules don’t allow amateurs carte blanche access to prize money. But there are lots of loopholes.
We love loopholes!
She hasn’t committed anywhere yet either!!! I would bet that 10 grand she gets for breaking the JR WR that she stays with Ron!
The $10k FINA bonus is only available for World Records. World Junior Records don’t get the bonus.
What’s the over/under from that 10K on her committing to UF?