With every meet, Regan Smith seems to rise to a challenge.
Perhaps it is winning a race against an elite competitor, or completing a difficult double – or both.
Three times.
And she got better with each of the three doubles – in loaded fields at the 2023 TYR Pro Swim Series stop in Fort Lauderdale.
On Thursday, Smith won the 50 backstroke (27.55) and took sixth in the 400 freestyle (4:11.53).
On Friday, she won the 200 backstroke (2:05.34) and took fourth in the 200 freestyle (1:58.14).
On Saturday, Smith saved her best for last, winning the 100 backstroke (57.92) and the 100 butterfly (56.60).
“The 100 back, I love that race but it is one of the hardest races for me personally. It kills my legs and I really felt it at the end of that race. I was psyched with the time, but it hurt. Between races I was worried about pulling the double off, but it could not have gone better,” Regan Smith said on Saturday. “The fly felt awesome, better than I was expecting to. I was expecting to die after having the 100 back so close to it. But it went really well. I haven’t dropped time in that event in almost three years, so I am really happy.”
She did all of this racing against the likes of Katie Ledecky, Summer McIntosh, Siobhan Haughey, Olivia Smoliga and more of the world’s elite.
The stands were packed for the final night and gave Smith the boost she needed when she was nervous about her final double.
“When I was walking out for the 100 fly, I saw a poster with my name on it and the kids were cheering for me. I just realized it was so fun to be here and this doesn’t need to be scary. That really helped get me in a good place mentally,” Regan Smith said. “In the 100 back, I am really just focused on individual details and on the 100 fly, I just want to work my walls as much as I can because that is when I am the fastest, and I think I executed really well.”
Executing this well at this point of the season can only lead to bigger things later on, like qualifying for worlds in multiple events, something Smith has her mind set on.
“This is great practice. Having a big crowd here really helped get my energy up and got me prepared for what it will be like at world champ trials, and hopefully World Championships. I love meets like this and I am really looking forward to more,” Regan Smith said. “This summer should be a lot of fun and I have a lot to prove.”
Wnen the International Diving Grand Prix will be held back a the ISHOF ???