AUSTIN, TEXAS: Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky set the second-fastest women’s 1500m freestyle time in history on Wednesday, claiming a dominant victory at the US Pro Swim Series in Austin. Ledecky finished in 15:23.21, more than a minute ahead of 16-year-old runner-up Brinkleigh Hansen, who touched in 16:31.31, while Becca Mann placed third in 16:35.09.
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Although she did not surpass her 2018 world record of 15:20.48, Ledecky edged her previous second-best mark of 15:24.51 set at last year’s Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale. Using a strong late surge, she once again proved her dominance in the event, which she has now won six world titles in addition to Olympic golds in Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024.
Katie Ledecky kicked off the Austin Pro Swim Series today with a bang, as she challenged her own world record and swum the second fastest 1500 freestyle in history in a 15:23.21. Will she break the world record at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine next summer? pic.twitter.com/WTDQtLeiM5
— Swimming Stats (@SwimmingStats) January 15, 2026
At 28, Ledecky shows no signs of slowing ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She remains the only woman to break 15:30 in the 1500m free, achieving it for the tenth time, and owns 24 of the top 25 all-time performances. Her training partner, men’s world-record holder Bobby Finke, claimed the men’s 1500m free in 15:01.70, with Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen second in 15:04.98.
The queen has arrived 👑💁♀️ https://t.co/4jcpji4r80 pic.twitter.com/Xnp2cgbxPW
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) January 15, 2026
The Pro Swim Series also saw top performances from other stars. Canada’s Summer McIntosh and France’s Leon Marchand led the 200m individual medley semis, while US backstroke world-record holder Regan Smith won the women’s 100m backstroke in 57.98 seconds. German world champion Anna Elendt claimed the women’s 100m breaststroke in 1:06.91.
Read More: McIntosh victorious in 200m free at Pro Swim
Ledecky’s performance in Austin reinforces her status as one of swimming’s all-time greats and sets the stage for another competitive year as she gears up for international meets and the next Olympic Games.