Ledecky: “I was a little shaky on the blocks for the 400” (Video)

^{Reported by James Sutherland.}

WOMEN’S 400 FREE FINALS

• US Open Record: 3:58.86, Katie Ledecky, 2014
• GT Pool Record: 4:00.31, Katie Ledecky, 2016

1. Katie Ledecky, UN, 4:00.98
2. Joanna Evans, UT, 4:08.44
3. Hali Flickinger, ABSC, 4:08.62

As expected Ledecky was out from the start, opening up a 2-second advantage just 100m in. She nearly even split the race, out in 2:00.0 and back in 2:00.9 to win in 4:00.98. The time improves her #1 world ranked time by three one-hundredths.

At the halfway mark it was a battle between three women for 2nd, with Joanna Evans, Cierra Runge and Hali Flickinger all in the mix at 2:03s. However, Evans and Flickinger pulled away on the back half, with Evans getting the touch for 2nd in 4:08.44 to Flickinger’s 4:08.62. Runge finished 7th, though just half a second back of 4th.

Vien Nguyen held off late charges from both Easop Lee and G Ryan to win the B final in 4:11.52.