Ledecky Dominates Distance Freestyle, Video Interview

Women’s 400 Freestyle – 2013 World Championship Trials – as reported by swimswam:

Not that she seemed particularly bothered by it, but with a best time in the women’s 400 freestyle final at the 2013 USA Swimming World Championship Trials on Friday in Indianapolis, Katie Ledecky has gotten one hook off of her back: the unusual fact that her best 400 freestyle up until today was on the first half of her gold medal swim in the 800 free at the London Olympics.

Ledecky swam a 4:04.05 in the women’s 400 free final to break her own 4:04.34 record set at last year’s Olympic Games in her 800 freestyle split.

Check out the comparative split times below:

Ledecky ’12 58.81 1:01.14 1:02.15 1:02.25 4:04.34
Ledecky ’13 58.91 1:01.14 1:02.08 1:01.92 4:04.05

That’s pretty wild to look at, considering that the top row is the first 400 meters of an 800 free. It shows just how fast she attacked her 800 in London.

Expect this record to go much lower when she swims it at the World Championships in Barcelona as a month, as Ledecky is not close to a full taper for this meet.

She and Chloe Sutton will be the two representatives in both the women’s 400 and 800 free in Barcelona.

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SwimFanFinland
11 years ago

It’s interesting how Jazmin Carlin performs in 400m free at the British Nationals on Sunday. This race may become more intense.

a_trojan
11 years ago

I’m guessing a 4:01.4 at worlds.

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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