Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky made it look easy – once again – Thursday (12 January) at the TYR Pro swim Series in Knoxville, Tenn., as she cruised to a 200m free win in the night’s opening race.
She clocked a 1:55.47 – more than two seconds ahead of Bella Sims (1:57.87) and Erin Gemmell (1:57.97).
“I’m happy with that one,” Ledecky said post-win. “I feel really good about how training’s going.”
Ledecky also swam the 400m IM, taking second behind Katie Grimes. Grimes, the world silver medalist in the event, out touched Ledecky, 4:35.92 to 4:36.09.
“I knew she was coming, so I just tried to give it everything I had,” Grimes said afterwards. “I definitely felt it in my legs. Just put my head down and tried not to look over there.”
Two time Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Bobby Finke came from behind to win the men’s 400 IM ahead of Jay Litherland in the night’s last final. They swam times of 4:17.64 and 4:17.97, respectively.
In the men’s 200m free, Henry McFadden was victorious at 1:47.23 with Kieran Smith (1:47.33) and Gabriel Jett (1:47.41) close behind.
Mona McSharry (1:06.80) and Lyubomir Epitr (1:01.35) took the women’s and men’s 100m breast stroke finals, respectively. Minutes later, four-time Olympic medalist Kylie Mass of Canada took the women’s 50m backstroke, while Justin Ress won the men’s race.
The women’s 100m butterfly final saw Ella Jansen top the standings at 58.92 with Luke Miller (52.24) the victor in the men’s event.
Competition in Knoxville continues through Saturday with stars Ledecky, Simone Manuel, ReganSmithDimensions, Ryan Murphy other Olivia Smoliga set to swim.
