U.S. Nationals, Day 4 Women’s Prelims: Katie Ledecky Cruises to Top Spot in 400 Freestyle
Already off to her seventh World Championships, Katie Ledecky returned to the pool after a day off from racing to pace the field in the 400 freestyle. Last month, she swam the second-best time of her career in a duel with Summer McIntosh at the Fort Lauderdale Pro Series, and now she has posted the top mark by more than four seconds in Friday’s prelims.
Later in the session, the world-record holders were in action in the women’s 100 breaststroke (Lilly King) and 100 backstroke (Regan Smith).
Women’s 400 Freestyle
As per her usual standard against domestic competition, Katie Ledecky jumped ahead of her competition in the final heat of the 400 free before cruising to the top qualifying time. Only one swimmer in the field has a personal best within five seconds of Ledecky, and she was able to cruise through the back half and still qualify first in 4:03.16. Ledecky’s time of 3:56.81 from last month in Fort Lauderdale is the U.S. Open record and top time in the world this year.
Second in the heats went to Claire Weinstein in 4:07.45. Weinstein is already on the team after winning the 200 free and coming from behind to take second in the 800, and her Fort Lauderdale time of 4:01.26 put her at No. 4 in the world standings. The only other swimmers to crack 4:10 were Erin Gemmell (4:09.04) and Cavan Gormsen (4:09.53), with 2023 World Championship finalist Bella Sims in fifth place at 4:10.18.
The rest of the final included Madi Mintenko (4:11.14), Mila Nikanorov (4:11.39) and Michaela Mattes (4:11.72). Meanwhile, Katie Grimes finished 14th in 4:13.38. Grimes qualified for Worlds by virtue of her runnerup finish in the 400 IM Thursday evening, but here she was more than eight seconds behind her lifetime best of 4:05.18.
Women’s 100 Breaststroke
Women’s 100 Backstroke
