World Record Race Video: Katie Ledecky rips 15:34.23 in the 1500m Freestyle in Texas

Swimming Video courtesy of Daniel Gately / TWST Senior Invite. Swimming News reported by Troy Gennaro.

The Woodlands Swim Team (TWST) is hosting its Senior Invitational Meet at the CISD Natatorium in Shenandoah, Texas. The meet, which follows a preliminary/final format, features high-ranking teams from California, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.

Katie Ledecky is headlining the meet and has officially put it on the map, breaking the world record in the women’s 1500m freestyle. She was out at the 800 in 8:16. It is normal for Ledecky to take races out strong, but to hold on to break the world record this early in the season is unbelievable.

She touched the wall in 15:34.23, lowering her personal best time and the previous world record set in Barcelona last summer at 15:36.53.

The record will not be considered official until it is approved by FINA, but it is more than two seconds faster than her previous best time and World Record. Ledecky’s time will also count as the new American and national age group record, and will significantly lower Kate Zeigler’s US Open record from 2007 of 15:42.54.

A reader of ours commenting under the name “Josh” pointed out that Ledecky’s 800 split of 8:16.18 also broke Janet Evan’s US Open record time of 8:17.12 from 1988. Not only does that knock out the second oldest US Open record, it also gives her the worlds fastest time in the 800 freestyle as well. Her 1500 time moves her almost 30 seconds ahead of the rest of the world, and her 800 split puts her 2 seconds ahead of the previous world leader, Jazz Carlin from Great Britain.

This record will have to be ratified by FINA before being declared official. While in most cases, that is a given with records being set at national and international level meets, there’s no guarantees, for example, that Ledecky underwent the mandatory doping control after her race.

See the full report and TYR World Swimming Rankings here.

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Jim C
10 years ago

Ledecky was ready to set some records. Bad weather outdoors in Santa Clara could have ruined her chances.

mcgillrocks
10 years ago

Nice celebration! I like that Ledecky has some ferocity when she swims well. No one has to go full Cielo, but too often I see swimmers even winning incredibly big races just looking at the clock, waving and smiling. I like to see a little fury and passion after a great swim.

bobo gigi
10 years ago

Congrats Katie! You are a legend!
Happy and proud to see my prediction of the summer 2011 unfold like that! 🙂
Keep up the good work and please, break the 400 free world record. You deserve it!

SamH
10 years ago

Can tou imagine being the counter for a world record swim? That is so awesome!

10 years ago

Amazing! What a swimmer!

liquidassets
10 years ago

Amazing feat, “How?” is right! But what is she doing at a random meet in TX; she should be out in Santa Clara kicking Friis’s butt!! 😉

anon
10 years ago

i honestly teared up watching that…

Such an amazing swimmer! go Katie!!

I can’t even begin to imagine what times she’ll swim this summer. That was incredible!

John
10 years ago

Congratulations Katie on another monster swim!

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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