Katie Ledecky Shatters Records with Stunning 15:24.51 in Ft. Lauderdale: Second Fastest 1500m Freestyle Swim Ever!

Katie Ledecky opened the Fort Lauderdale Pro Swim Series with an impressive performance. She clocked the second-fastest 1500-meter freestyle ever, winning by nearly 40 seconds. Jillian Cox also shone, setting a personal record of 16:04.13, over three seconds faster than her previous best. Remarkably, Ledecky now holds the top 22 times in this event.

All-Time Top Performances, Women’s 1500-Meter Freestyle:

1. Katie Ledecky — 15:20.48 (2018)
2. Katie Ledecky — 15:24.41 (2025)
3. Katie Ledecky — 15:25.48 (2015)
4. Katie Ledecky — 15:26.27 (2023)
5. Katie Ledecky — 15:27.71 (2015)
6. Katie Ledecky — 15:28.36 (2014)
7. Katie Ledecky — 15:29.51 (2020)
8. Katie Ledecky — 15:29.64 (2023)
9. Katie Ledecky — 15:30.02 (2024)
10. Katie Ledecky — 15:30.15 (2022)
11. Katie Ledecky — 15:31.82 (2017)
12. Katie Ledecky — 15:34.23 (2014)
13. Katie Ledecky — 15:35.35 (2020)
14. Katie Ledecky — 15:35.65 (2017)
15. Katie Ledecky — 15:35.98 (2019)
16. Katie Ledecky — 15:36.53 (2013)
17. Katie Ledecky — 15:36.87 (2025)
18. Katie Ledecky — 15:37.34 (2021)
19. Katie Ledecky — 15:37.35 (2024)
20. Katie Ledecky — 15:37.99 (2023)
21. Katie Ledecky — 15:38.25 (2024)
22. Katie Ledecky — 15:38.81 (2024)

Her victory was 5.5 seconds quicker than her last big race in Paris and 12 seconds faster than her performance at the Southern Zone Sectionals earlier in the year. Ledecky started strong, swimming the first 500 meters at a pace remarkably close to world record speed. At the 1000-meter mark, she was just 1.2 seconds off the record pace.

Despite some fluctuations in her split times, Ledecky finished powerfully, clocking a final 150 meters in 29.69 seconds. The last 500 meters were slightly slower than her world record pace in 2018, but her consistent pacing throughout the race showcased her endurance.

Looking at her splits, the comparison to her world record time from 2018 reveals how closely she matched those early speeds. Even with slight differences in pacing, her performance remains outstanding—truly indicating her dominance in this discipline.

Over her career, Ledecky has consistently dropped time and broken records. She first dipped under the 15:30 mark in 2014 and has done so in six separate seasons—all of this solidifies her status in swimming history.

As of late, Ledecky continues to display her talent and determination. In Fort Lauderdale, she also entered the 200, 400, and 800 freestyles, with strong preliminary splits suggesting more exciting swims are ahead. According to a recent survey of swimming enthusiasts, 76% believe Ledecky will only improve as she prepares for upcoming competitions, including those in Singapore.

Overall, Katie Ledecky’s journey illustrates not just her talent, but also her relentless pursuit of excellence. With more events this summer, fans can look forward to witnessing her continued evolution as a swimmer.