Katie Ledecky comes up short to Summer McIntosh in 400m final at 2023 U.S. Open
The 17-year-old outswam the seven-time Olympic gold medallist Thursday (30 November) at the event in Greensboro, North Carolina
Swimming
Seven-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Katie Ledecky couldn't hold off Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh Thursday evening (30 November) in the women's 400m final at the U.S. Open Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.
McIntosh, just 17 years old, is a former World Record holder in the event and looked in fine form at the Open, taking a .34 second lead after the opening 100m. With one lap to go, she'd expanded her lead to nearly two seconds over Ledecky.
In the end, it was McIntosh a whisker under four minutes at 3:59.42, a new course record. Ledecky clocked a 4:02.38 for second with Siobhan Haughey's 4:06.32 good enough for third.
"Overall, I'm pretty happy with that race," McIntosh told U.S. broadcaster Peacock afterward. "First long course meet for the season so I was just really excited going into it and didn't know what to expect. I'll just kind of learn from this and start to move forward for the rest of the year."
In the men's event, Drew Kibler took the title at 3:47.58, a personal best. Kieran Smith (3:48.72) and Ilia Sibirtsev (3:48.99) rounded out the top three.
The women's 200m medley was a starstudded affair with Kate Douglass and Alex Walsh, who took gold and silver at the 2023 Worlds in the event, facing off with a repeat finish.
Douglass' 2:08.46, a course record, edged Walsh's 2:08.96 for the title. Tori Huske finished third at 2:09.10.
"I'm super happy with that time right now," said Douglass afterward. "This meet is kind of just about getting race practice, so coming out on top in that event is awesome."
In the final women's event of the night, the women's 50m freestyle, Douglass scored another course record, clocking a 24.38 for the win.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic champ Chase Kalisz was victorious in the men's 200m IM, holding off Hubert Kos, 1:57.43 to 1:57.88. Trenton Julian was third (1:58.46).
50m freestyle American record holder Caeleb Dressel, the seven-time Olympic champion, continued his comeback to form after nearly a year away from the sport, racing in the B-final of the men's 50m final Thursday. He swam a 21.99 for the fastest time in his heat.
In the A-final, Michael Andrew swam 21.80 to finish first ahead of Josh Liendo's 21.90. Mikel Schreuders (21.93) was third with Santo Condorelli matching Dressel's 21.99 in fourth.
Competition in Greensboro continues through Saturday (2 December) with more races ahead for swimming stars Ledecky, Regan Smith, McIntosh, Ryan Murphy and others. Fans can watch the event via Peacock TV or the USA Swimming Network.