MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Katie Ledecky won the 800-meter freestyle by nearly 15 seconds at the Arena Pro Swim meet Saturday night, her third victory in three days just over two months before the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.
Ledecky swam well ahead of the rest of the field throughout the final and touched in 8 minutes, 13.20 seconds on the last night of the meet at Skyline Aquatic Center. Conditions were much calmer than Friday when wind gusts up to 30 mph kicked up the water and gave swimmers an extra element to fight against.
Ledecky finished 14.65 seconds ahead of Lotte Friis of Denmark, who touched in 8:27.85. Cierra Runge finished third in 8:32.21.
Ledecky added the 800 free to her earlier victories in the 200 and 400 freestyles. She goes for a freestyle sweep later in the evening, when she swims the 100.
Michael Phelps led all the way in the 200 individual medley, touching in 1:57.90 — third-fastest in the world this year. He led a 1-2-3 sweep by North Baltimore Aquatic Club swimmers. Chase Kalisz was second in 1:59.05 and David Nolan third.
Ryan Lochte scratched the 200 IM final to focus on the 200 backstroke, denying fans a chance to see him and Phelps renew their rivalry.
Phelps won the 200 butterfly on Friday as he trains with an eye on swimming in his fifth Olympics this summer in Rio de Janeiro.
Maya DiRado won the women’s 200 IM in 2:11.09, with world record holder Katinka Hosszu of Hungary finishing fifth.
DiRado returned about 15 minutes later to win the 200 back, again beating Hosszu, who was fifth. DiRado won in 2:08.61. Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, aiming for another Olympics at age 32, finished second in 2:10.04. World record holder Missy Franklin scratched the final, tweeting that she wasn’t feeling well and was resting on her coach’s orders.
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