Seven-time Olympic gold medallist Katie Ledecky showcased her prowess once again, securing victory in the women’s 400m freestyle at the Pro Swim series in Knoxville, Tennessee. This triumph follows her earlier win in the 1,500m freestyle event, marking a successful start to her preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Event Highlights:
- Katie Ledecky claimed her second victory in as many nights, winning the 400m freestyle with a time of 4:03.46.
- Ledecky, who won her first Olympic gold in 2012, expressed the unique challenges of each Olympic year and how she uses her experience to her advantage.
- Canadian Summer McIntosh, who surprised Ledecky in the 400m free at the US Open in November, opted for the 200m butterfly, securing a dominant win with a time of 2:05.73.
- The women’s 100m breaststroke saw world record-holder Lilly King emerge victorious in 1:05.67, with Ireland’s Mona McSharry finishing second.
- Jack Alexy, silver medallist at the World Championships, won the men’s 100m freestyle in 48.24.
- Austrian Martin Espernberger triumphed in the men’s 200m butterfly, overtaking Trenton Julian in the final 25 meters.
- Felix Auboeck secured another victory for Austria in the men’s 400m freestyle, overtaking Lucas Henveaux in the final 100m.
Notably, the meet experienced the absence of Caeleb Dressel, seven-time Olympic gold medallist, who withdrew due to the proximity of his wife’s due date. Despite the absence of some key athletes, the competition delivered thrilling performances, setting the stage for an exciting year in swimming.
