Katie Ledecky extended her unparalleled 16-year winning streak in the 1500m freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California. Ledecky secured victory with a time of 15 minutes, 36.09 seconds. Australian Lani Pallister finished remarkably close, just 2.53 seconds behind, setting a personal best of 15:38.62 to become the third-fastest woman in history.
Pallister’s performance was the closest any competitor has come to Ledecky in a major 1500m freestyle international race since Ledecky won her first major title at the 2013 World Championships at age 16.
This meet marked Ledecky’s first major international race held in a U.S. pool. Though not entirely satisfied with her performance, she enjoyed the competitive environment.
Ledecky holds the top 13 times in history, with a world record of 15:20.48. The upcoming 800m freestyle promises excitement, given Pallister’s recent narrow gap at the 2025 Worlds.
Even with a swim I’m not super happy with, it’s just so much fun to be in this environment and get to experience this.
The Pan Pacific Championships continued with the U.S. setting a new world record in the mixed-gender 4x100m medley relay. Swimmers Will Modglin, Van Mathias, Gretchen Walsh, and Kate Douglass achieved a time of 3:36.70, breaking the previous record set by the U.S. at the 2024 Olympics.
Gretchen Walsh also excelled individually, winning the 50m butterfly in 24.65 seconds, marking the fifth-fastest swim in history. Walsh holds the second-fastest time and records in the 100m fly and 50m free events.
In other notable performances, Pallister defeated Canada’s Summer McIntosh in the 200m freestyle by a margin of 0.19 seconds, establishing a Championship Record.
Katharine Berkoff and Regan Smith delivered a one-two finish for the U.S. in the women’s 100m backstroke, with Berkoff becoming the first American to beat Smith in this event at a major meet since 2018.
Australian Sam Short edged out American Bobby Finke in the 800m freestyle. In the men’s 200m free, Luke Hobson achieved his first individual title at an international long-course meet, supported by Gabriel Jett, who posted a personal best time.
Luca Urlando surpassed Michael Phelps’ 2006 record in the 200m butterfly with a time of 1:53.11, underlining the U.S. team’s continued dominance at the Championships.
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