WASHINGTON: At the Pro Swim series meet in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, Katie Ledecky began the Olympic year with yet another commanding victory in the women’s 1,500m freestyle. With a time of 15 minutes, 38.81 seconds, Ledecky ranks 17th in history. With Denmark’s Lotte Friis, the second-fastest performer ever, now owning the 18th-fastest time ever (15:38.88), she holds all 16 of the faster times.
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Five-time world champion Ledecky, who also won gold at the Olympics in Tokyo when the 1,500-meter freestyle was added to the women’s program, touched the clock in 52.42 seconds faster than Aly Breslin, who finished second in their heat of the timed finals in 16:43.09. Ashley Wall won her heat in 16:31.13, placing her second fastest overall. Compared to her winning mark of 15:46.38 at the US Open in Greensboro, North Carolina, in November, Ledecky’s time was better.
