Video produced by Coleman Hodges.
Reported by Karl Ortegon.
Winning the A final was Katie Ledecky in 1:56.79, the sixth fastest time in the world this year, though she already has put up the 3rd fastest in the world, a 1:56.16 from the Arena Pro Swim Series in Austin. The Iron Lady Katinka Hosszu touched 2nd with a strong 1:57.51, only a few tenths off of her best time this year, while Allison Schmitt rounded out the top three with a time of 1:57.86. Schmitt took over a second and a half off of her morning time and this puts her inside the top 20 in the world this year. After not quite returning to her formidable 2012 Olympics form in recent years, Schmitt looked strong, and was neck-and-neck with Ledecky for much of the race. Future California Golden Bear Katie McLaughlin touched in fourth at 1:58.00, while Nina Rangelova (1:59.40) was fifth, the last swimmer under the two minute barrier.
5 female swimmers have swum faster than Ledecky’s time including Ledecky herself, but I know that Heemskerk has done so more than once.
One suggestion for Katie – Use sunscreen.
She does the 400IM for fun. I don’t think i’ve ever heard of anyone doing a 400IM for fun.
When 1500free is your job, then 400 IM is your hobby 🙂
I made that mistake as a post-grad athlete. Hadn’t swam it since HS, forgot how bad it hurt. Thought it might be “fun” to try it again. Made my national cut, swam it hard at nationals and it hurt so bad I nearly puked during the freestyle flipturn. I couldn’t move for 45 minutes after the race.
Lesson learned.
Well, she drops from the 1500 to the 400im. its probably like a jog for her
4:42.8 is quite fast for a freestyle specialist, I would think that if swam tapered Ledecky could get under 4:40 , which would be awesome to see !