Ledecky holds on for 1500m free title at Pan Pacs
Katie Ledecky was pushed more than normal by Australia's Lani Pallister in the 1500m at the Pan Pacific Championships, but she extended her 16-year winning streak despite her closest finish in the event in 13 years.
Video Transcript
Unbeaten in this event in the last decade and a half plus.
Never lost an international 800 either, but Lani Pallister came really close to knocking her off last summer in Singapore in that event.
It'll be a much taller challenge here in the 1500.
One of the most epic races we've ever called, partner, right?
I mean, it really was a cool race to call, and I loved calling it with you.
And it was, and it was.
It was, one of the races for the ages.
She doesn't really have a choice, Jason.
I mean, she's got to.
There, there's no way she's coming back on Katie Ledecky being five seconds, six seconds down at the 800.
So she's gotta go with her and just hope that she gets in the mind of Katie, saying, "Hey, I just came off a victory in the 200 free.
I just beat Summer McIntosh.
I can hang with you, too."
So she's got- the fastest time all time in this event by 11 seconds over the next fastest swimmer.
Yeah.
A- and, and this is exactly what we thought, Jason, right?
I mean, she's gonna go out with her.
She's- Summer's world championship.
But this year alone, she's still 17 seconds behind Katie Ledecky.
Now, Katie did that back in January.
That 15:23 back in January is the second fastest time she's ever gone, obviously.
Second fastest time in- Pallister as well, and see what that tempo, that stroke count looks like.
You know, 3/10 of a second only at the 200-meter mark.
World record pace, by the way, ahead of that.
For the 800.
She was also on the podium, bronze in the 15 behind Ledecky last summer.
She just swept the 4, the 8, and the 1500 at the Commonwealth Games a couple of weeks ago in Scotland, so coming in in good form.
And Rowdy, we've talked about this before.
When Ledecky races the 1500 so often, it is a race against herself.
But curious to see how Katie's times hold here when there's someone at least within range this deep into this race.
And how disheartening must it be for Lani Pallister right now to know what you've been able to do this first 5 or 600 and still be behind.
But again, I'll say it again, Katie did it back in January.
Pallister did it in June.
And it's, it's gonna be close.
Here's the good sign right here, 8:12 and 8:14.
So Pallister is a full four seconds faster.
Five, excuse me.
Yeah, four seconds faster than she was in June.
And- But they are both coming back to reality a little bit Yeah, dipping below that furious world record pace that they were above earlier on.
Again, Ledecky posting that world record in her first ever event as a pro, Pro Swim Series race in Indianapolis in 2018.
That's true.
That's my opinion, of course.
Pallister coming here, Rowdy, and remember, this is the back half of a double.
It was only a 200- Yeah but it was a gold medal swim, but this is ultra impressive for the Aussie.
It's ultimate pool endurance race for the women, and Ledecky ready to bring it home here.
Crowd on its feet in Irvine trying to roar Ledecky to gold.
In a familiar position in the 1500, in front.
But what's unfamiliar, someone's been lurking there the whole time.
Lani Pallister, ultra impressive to come this close to Ledecky in her signature event.
It's gold for the American.
Pallister flying there home in second spot with a lifetime best.
1500, keeping her unbeaten streak rolling.
She has gold personal bests for both Aussies, Pallister and Moesha Johnson with bronze.
Katie, you did so well.
Give it up for Katie Ledecky, guys.
Another world-class swim.
Talk about how this is your first international medal on home soil.
What does it mean for you to do that in front of this crowd here in Irvine?
Yeah, it's awesome.
I love coming to Irvine, and just, I can't believe this is my first international meet on home soil, but it's great to get one before LA in two years.
And thank you everyone for coming out and supporting Team USA.
And it's no secret you're not new to this.
You're true to this.
You've been on this national team for so many years.
Talk about what it means to step into this mentorship role with swimmers like Jillian Cox, who are also in your heat.
Yeah, I'm the old one on the team now, and it's an honor to still be on Team USA and I don't take that for granted.
I'm happy that I've been healthy and happy in the sport, and, you know, big kudos to all my coaches and family for keeping it that way and keeping me still going.
And I really do love this sport, and 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.
Well, Katie, we are so proud of you.
Congratulations.
Guys, give it up, Katie Ledecky.
