2026 Speedo Fort Lauderdale Open
- Wednesday, April 29 – Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center
- LCM (50 meters)
- All the Links
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheet
- Live Results: “Fort Lauderdale Open” on Meet Mobile
- Recaps
Women’s 200 Backstroke
- World Record – 2:03.14 – Kaylee McKeown, AUS (2023)
- American Record – 2:03.35 – Regan Smith (2019)
- U.S. Open Record – 2:03.80 – Regan Smith, USA (2023)
Top 8 Finishers
- Isabelle Stadden (AQJT) — 2:04.37
- Regan Smith (TXLA) — 2:06.38
- Rylee Erisman (LAKR) — 2:08.20
- Audrey Derivaux (JW) — 2:09.63
- Erika Pelaez (NCS) — 2:10.52
- Phoebe Bacon (WISC) — 2:11.17
- Katie Grimes (CA) — 2:13.90
- Catie Choate (GSC) — 2:13.92
23 year old Isabelle Stadden continues to shine this year and swam to a world leading 2:04.37 200 backstroke. That also makes her the #4 performer all-time in the event.
All-Time Top Performers, Women’s LCM 200 Back
- Kaylee McKeown, 2:03.14, 2023
- Regan Smith, 2:03.35, 2019
- Missy Franklin, 2:04.06, 2012
- Isabelle Stadden, 2:04.37, 2026
- Kirsty Coventry, 2:04.81, 2009
Stadden also sits as the #3 American ever, only sitting behind Regan Smith and Missy Franklin.
Stadden has had a huge 2026 so far after changing training bases and joining the Virginia pro group in Charlottesville at the start of the year. She came into the year with a lifetime best 2:07.28 in the 200 back that stood since 2021. Back in March at the Pro Series stop in Westmont, she dropped over a second, swimming to a 2:05.91. She also swam lifetime bests in the 50 and 100 back in Westmont.
The Cal graduate took time off from competition after 2025 US Nationals as she was 12th in the 200 back (2:10.50), 9th in the 100 back (59.76), and 5th in the 50 back (27.78). Her time tonight in the 200 back would have been 1st at US Summer Nationals, ahead of Claire Curzan who swam a 2:05.09. Curzan also trains at Virginia.
Regan is spreading herself too thin. She needs to focus on backstroke to remain elite in that stroke (and get rid of the 200 fly. No way she will get gold in that). Her best bets are still the backstrokes, so she should make those a priority, which she is not doing.
Love that for her, but if she were Chinese or Russian…
DeSorbo Effect
What US swimmers do you think will be attending the ‘26 World Cups to qualify for the 50 Backstroke in LA?
Her maybe! Regan too
We need more depths in women’s 400IM and distance events …
Agreed. The 400 IM especially right now. And who is medaling in distance free once Katie retires?
cox has a short course worlds medal already
Wow! Congratulations! That is incredibly impressive! Her change in training is really paying off.
I can’t believe how deep USA women’s backstroke is.
I just realized Regan’s best time last year was 2:04.29. She really can’t take the risk of not resting for trials anymore.
She probably needs to go at least in the 2:04 to get that spot
Actually wild to think about
Regan’s 200 back times in finals at her last 3 major international meets:
2023 Worlds: 2:04.94 (would have lost to Stadden)
2024 Olympics: 2:04.26 (beats Stadden by .11)
2025 Worlds: 2:04.29 (beats Stadden by .08)
Just a reminder that Regan hasn’t been 2:03.xx at any international meet since 2019!
Actually, she has been. She got 2.03 something in Nationals and then 2.03.99 in a Westmont pro swim, I believe.
but she has done it at trials meets, and there’s a chance she HAS to do it at a trials meet to make it