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
Isabelle Stadden dropped an absolute bomb tonight in Fort Lauderdale, clocking a 2:04.37 200 back to become the #4 performer of all-time. After the race, Stadden was ecstatic, but she did admit that a big drop was expected. The former Cal Bear is clicking with her new training group at the University of Virginia, saying that she feels she is settling into the training in Charlottesville.
I’m curious what the difference is between now and the last 5 years. Was it the extended break she took after Nationals last summer? The change of scenery? New training partners? Different training methods? A Faustian deal with the Devil? I am very curious.
Well her training partner is likely Claire Curzan, maybe she has been beating her bad in practice and that mental confidence was unlocked. Todd Desorbo also seems to be a wizard with elite women’s swimmers. Could also be that the pro life is better for her training.
I think it’s all of these things, and she’s in wayy better shape lol. I know it’s kind of taboo to say it, but that stuff actually matters, more than most people think. I think she’s probably 2:05ish at Cal in this shape and then everything else takes her to 2:04.
I’m sure something new and possibly better training, coaching, etc is a big part of it, however, physically, she looks like she’s more fit than I remember when she was at Cal and even HS.
You just it the nail on the head. Good for her that she did what’s needed to get into better shape. She can train harder than she was physically able to before. She said as much in the interview. Now we get to cheer for Isabelle as she chases her full potential. She will one of the two come 2028.
Yes exactly. Really happy for her; it’s great to see swimmers execute a plan to reach their potential. Being in a new environment probably made it that much easier to make a change, but if people are wondering why, that’s the main reason.
The Devil went down to Virginia? (Possibly lore accurate)
I wonder if O’Dell will begin training at UVA this summer or stay back home with club team Seahawks?
Mintenko trained at UVA last summer before her freshman year.
sounds like Virginia will be at INDY Pro Swim, and Toyota Nationals, before some go on to PanPacs
O’dell barely was at pleasanton and was from SoCal, so it’d make more sense to go to uva early than go back to Seahawks.
By that logic she’s barely been at every team she’s been on
Cal is just bad, it’s okay
Tell that to Claire Weinstein bro
I think it was just a better program – maybe just for her, but I think for a lot of people.
The difference is called Therapeutic Use Exemptions.
If you’re going to say this, say more.
She also made a brief mention in this interview about all the men in her pro group at Cal. Maybe she likes having more women around during her training.
On an unrelated note, why is Katie Grimes so far off in the 400 IM? I get that it’s a different training and this is in season, but 4:44 is kinda absurd and I wouldn’t expect her to even be 4:36 at Pan PACs….
Not only that, but her breaststroke hasn’t improved either. You’d expect a swimmer who is in a new training environment focused on breaststroke to at least have some improvement there, but she isn’t also….
She swims with the breastroke lane?
Well she’s swimming the 200 breast this morning. We’ll see whether or not she’s had improvement there.
Her PB is 2:41.1from two Aprils ago at the Fran Crippen. (Her PB in the yards version was set in January of this year at a dual meet — besting her old PB by 1.5 seconds.)
why are commentors so ready to pounce every Katie Grimes swim
she just swam her best college meet at ACCs, she interviews as so very happy at UVA,
and recently earned an Academic All- American honor!
there’s more to life than your PBs
It’s not that people are mean, it’s that they are curious. When someone comes to college with world records, Olympic medals, worlds experience in 2 disciplines, and then doesn’t perform near where they were before it is surprising. Especially when the rest of the team is very very good. Not saying she’s not, she’s amazing even with some adds, but still is a bit interesting
lol I already gave up on grimes. Sadie Buckley just dropped 5 and a half seconds in 4IM. Could be a real deal if she keeps improving.
Derivaux too. She went 4:39 last year and is getting better
UVA is sprint free, breast, and back U
I feel like the 100 fly world record holder and 50 fly second fastest all time might say you should add sprint butterfly to that list of strokes.
My bad lmao
Claire has an amazing 100 fly too
“I have a hard time believing this is reality, and not just a training trip with my friends.”
Not only is the training working really well for her, she is having the time of her life. A happy swimmer is a fast swimmer.