Commonwealth Games, Day Three Finals: Lani Pallister Destroys Field in 1500 Freestyle; Scares Oceania Record
Make it three individual medals in as many events for Lani Pallister at the Commonwealth Games. Racing the 1500-meter freestyle on Sunday night at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Pallister secured a dominant victory, clocking a performance of 15:41.03. It was a special triumph for Pallister, as the women’s 1500 freestyle was making its debut at the Games, just as the event joined the Olympic program beginning with the Tokyo Games.
By rolling to victory over 30 laps, Pallister complemented her earlier gold medal in the 400 freestyle and a silver medal in the 200 freestyle. Coached by Dean Boxall at St. Peters Western, Pallister still has the 800 freestyle remaining, and will be the heavy favorite to prevail in that event. She’ll also represent Australia in the 800 freestyle relay.
Pallister wasted no time taking control of the race, going out in 1:59.92 for the first 200 meters. By that point, the Aussie was already three seconds ahead of New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather and Pallister continued to extend her lead with each passing lap. Pallister’s time was not far off her best of 15:39.14, which is the Oceania record and ranks her No. 4 in the all-time rankings. Fairweather was the silver medalist in 15:58.97 while the bronze medal went to Australia’s Molly Walker in 16:01.37.
Four years ago, Pallister was the bronze medalist in the 800 freestyle, but she has surged to another level since that point. Under the guidance of Boxall, Pallister’s has become an 8:05 performer in the 800 free, gone sub-4:00 in the 400 free and sub-15:40 in the 1500 free. For good measure, Pallister has also clocked a best of 1:53.65 in the 200 freestyle. In two years, multiple medal opportunities are expected at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
While looking ahead to those days in Southern California, Pallister will get a sneak peek of the area when she races next month at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine. There, Pallister will face the likes of American Katie Ledecky and Canadian Summer McIntosh. Consider the Commonwealth Games a tuneup for those clashes, and Pallister is clearly preparing well.
