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Katie Ledecky Swims World’s Fastest Mile at Atlanta Classic
In her final tune-up for the Olympic Trials, Katie Ledecky has gotten her racing lineup started with the world’s fastest time in the women’s 1500 freestyle. Racing Wednesday evening at the Atlanta Classic, Ledecky dominated the field by more than 44 seconds on the way to a final time of 15:38.25. That was a half-second quicker than her previous top mile of the year, a 15:38.81 from the TYR Pro Swim Series in Knoxville, Tenn., in January.
While Ledecky’s dominance has been challenged in events up to 800 meters, she remains far clear of anyone else in the world. This time is actually quicker than the silver-medal winning time from last year’s Worlds, the 15:43.31 posted by Italy’s Simona Quadarella. Quadarella also won this year’s world title in February (with Ledecky absent) in 15:46.99, a mark which ranks second globally for 2024.
Ashley Twichell, a 2021 U.S. Olympian in open water, placed second in 16:22.69, while Abby McCulloh, the NCAA champion in the 1650-yard free this year for Georgia, took third in 16:24.90.
Also in Atlanta, Bobby Finke clocked a season-best mark of 14:58.08 to win the men’s 1500, well ahead of University of Florida training partners Gio Linscheer (15:41.80) and Andrew Taylor (15:42.10). Finke is the second American to break 15:00 this year, following Charlie Clark’s 14:57.44 at the World Championships in February.
The Atlanta meet is one of three in USA Swimming’s Club Excellence Series this weekend, along with meets in Austin, Texas, and Irvine, Calif., with all meets following the same event lineup. In Austin, Jillian Cox posted a time of 16:20.83 to win the women’s 1500, with 2021 Olympic silver medalist Erica Sullivan placing second in 16:26.45. Longhorn’s Sasha Lyubavskiy topped the men’s race in 15:35.96.
In Irvine, Stanford’s Aurora Roghair clocked 16:19.79 to dominate the women’s mile, making her the fourth-fastest American this year as she continues her excellent season. Gabe Machado was the top performer in the men’s race (15:50.11).
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