Katie Ledecky Taking Aim at SCM World Records at Upcoming World Cup Stops
Rare are the times in which Katie Ledecky has raced in short-course meters competition. While the distance legends has set dozens of records in the long-course pool and in the short-course yards format, there has been a lack of SCM opportunities for the Olympic champion. So, when Ledecky competes at the FINA World Cup stops in Toronto and Indianapolis, it will be interesting to see what she will produce.
During the inaugural season of the International Swimming League (ISL), Ledecky was a member of the D.C. Trident and set an American record of 3:54.06 in the 400-meter freestyle. The ISL format, though, did not feature the 800 freestyle or 1500 freestyle, Ledecky’s best events, and she was consequently unable to display her greatness in short-course meters.
At the upcoming World Cup stops, it would not be stunning if Ledecky took aim at a couple of world and American standards. For starters, Ledecky’s American mark in the 400 freestyle is just off the global mark of 3:53.92, set in 2018 by Aussie Ariarne Titmus. Meanwhile, the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle world records sit at 7:59.34 and 15:18.01, respectively. Given Ledecky’s dominance over the distance world, those efforts figure to be within reach in a few weeks.
If Ledecky does not take down world records in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle, the American records are very likely to go. The 800 mark stands at 8:07.67 and the 1500 is held at 15:32.90. Ledecky has been much faster than both of those times in the long-course pool.
I would rather see her train a little longer, really taper down and be at top speed and go after all three records at Short Course Worlds. And mentally give the long course swimming a little rest.