Jordan Wilimovsky confirmed to us today he will not compete at the US World Championship Trials at the end of the month, opting to focus on open water at the World Championships.
Wilimovsky was expected to run away from the field in the men’s 1500 this year, especially with the absence of Connor Jaeger and Michael McBroom. His best of 14:45.03, done at the Olympics last summer when he finished 4th, is nearly 20 seconds clear of the next fastest active American. However, after doing both pool and open water in Rio, he has decided to take a step back from the pool for the year.
On his decision:
I’m not planning on going to world champs trials this summer. It’s the first year of the quad and the meet is right after Northwestern graduation, so I just decided to do open water this summer. I’m going to try and focus on both the 1500 and 10k though and hopefully swim both next year.
Two years ago in Kazan, when Wilimovsky was solely focusing on open water, he took the gold medal in the men’s 10K. Last summer, shortly after competing in the pool, he took 5th in a very close race.
With Wilimovsky out, we’ve had to adjust our picks in the men’s distance events. Initially we had him 1st in the mile and 3rd in the 800, but with this change True Sweetser is now our pick for the second Worlds spot in the 1500, along with Robert Finke. Check out our updates picks in the 1500 and 800.
“I’m not going to do this super boring event that nobody watches so I can concentrate on an even more boring event that even less people watch.” Maybe this has to do with not medaling in rio where he did both.
You should do it. You might medal.
I would die of boredom first. I guess there’s a lot of other things I’d rather watch move at less than 4 miles per hour.
so, the two best milers in the country aren’t swimming this event? Am I getting this right?
Well, isn’t one of them retired?
I think he talking about Clark Smith
And why did Clark Smith decide not to swim the mile?
It’s on the first day of the meet, so he’s sitting it out to focus on the shorter distances.
Clark said that since the 1500 was on day 1, it “messes it up”. Sounds like he didn’t want a painful mile on day 1 to impact his 200/400/800 later in the meet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGK1-zd2fMg
Smart decision by Jordan!!
Good luck to him to get the gold medal in 10k!!
Will we get updated SwimSwam predictions for the 800 and 1500?
Picks have been updated.
800: https://swimswam.com/2017-u-s-world-trials-preview-speed-vs-endurance-mens-800/
1500: https://swimswam.com/2017-u-s-world-trials-preview-wilimovskys-time-mens-1500/
Thank you!
Yanks looking weak in the distance races.
Australia v ltaly now.
Australia? For sure? Italy gold and silver both sub 14:40 maybe even a Wr for Paltrinieri. Bronze might be open.
I would not say Australia looks great in the mile. Their performance in Europe this week was subpar
You serious ?
How fast was their miler in Barcelona and was he happy with it?
Remember the 1500 is the equivalent of 26 miles and 385 yards.
Do you really think Mack would go out and do a sub 14:45 ? Before world’s? ??
Save ya tickets for Budapest sport.
Mack was 15.05. I don’t know if he was happy about it , he obviously has a training plan but I did read he was at the end of an endurance block . Mack has a huge schedule in Budapest , the first time he has tackled the 20040080015000.
He’s still young & I doubt he has booked his swim memorial plaque yet . Wait & see .
I said it before that Australia would win zero individual gold in Budapest, but I change my mind now. Gold for Seebohm at least in 200 bk. Still no gold on the men’s side. Paltrinieri will win the mile, without much doubt.
Good luck in the 10k! Good perspective on longevity and timing.
I think i said this a few times on the thread about picking World Champ Trials. Thanks for the credit. 🙂
do you want a cookie?
Wow, this will be out weakest event by far. Reminds me of trials back in 2009 when our fastest mile was in the 15:05-10 range (and that was with tech suits)
Someone may come out of the wood work and break 15:00, but it will take a sub 14:55 to final at worlds
We’d just need someone like Grothe or Finke to emerge from hiding and drop a 14:53 or faster… I don’t like the odds, but stranger things have happened.
The hard part is doing 14:53 or whatever a couple times within a month
Will the US even have 2 with the A cut? I’m too lazy to look it up.
There seems to be a good amount of U.S. distance talent in the 15-18 age range, but it looks like it’s gonna be a couple of years before anyone can seriously compete with the big boys. Unless Wilimovsky or Smith decides to give it a shot next year.