SWIMMING: Ledecky clocks second-fastest 1500m free swim at Pro Series

Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky delivered a commanding performance in the women's 1,500-metre freestyle at the 2026 U.S. Pro Swim Series in Austin on Wednesday, finishing the race in 15 minutes, 23.21 seconds — the second-fastest time in history.

The 28-year-old dominated from start to finish, finishing more than a minute ahead of 16-year-old Brinkleigh Hansen, who came in second with a time of 16:31.31. Becca Mann, 26, claimed third place in 16:35.09.

"I was really happy with that," Ledecky told SwimSwam after the race. "I came into today with pretty low expectations. I just didn’t really know what to expect coming off the back of Christmas training and all the hard work. I usually do pretty well when I feel good about my training… but it was my first long course race since the Singapore Worlds in July and August. I kind of kept the expectations low, but that's sometimes how I end up having my best swims."

Ledecky's time is second only to her own world record of 15:20.48, set at a Pro Swim Series meet in May 2018. With a total of 14 Olympic medals, the American star looks set for another strong showing at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

In the men's 1,500-metre freestyle, world record-holder Bobby Finke took the win in 15:01.70. Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen, the reigning Olympic 800m champion, finished second in 15:04.98, while Ryan Erisman claimed third place in 15:06.94.

-Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra/Reuters