Get ready for a thrilling swim story! Summer McIntosh's record-breaking performance has just taken the swimming world by storm. In a stunning display of talent, McIntosh shattered Katie Ledecky's US Open record in the 400-meter freestyle, clocking an incredible 3:55.37. But here's where it gets controversial...
During the 2025 U.S. Open, held at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas, McIntosh not only broke Ledecky's record but also secured the #2 spot in the all-time rankings for the 400 free. With prelims starting at 10 a.m. EST and finals at 7 p.m. EST (5 p.m. EST on Day 1), the competition was fierce.
McIntosh's achievement is even more remarkable when you consider the split comparison. She was already half a second ahead of Ledecky's old record and her own World Record at the 100-meter mark!
And this is the part most people miss: McIntosh's performance today means she now holds four of the six fastest 400-meter freestyle times in history. That's an incredible feat for any swimmer, let alone one so young.
The all-time top performances in the Women's LCM 400 Free speak for themselves:
- Summer McIntosh, 3:54.18 - 2025 Canadian Swimming Trials
- Summer McIntosh, 3:55.37 - 2025 US Open
- Ariarne Titmus, 3:55.38 - 2023 World Champs
- Ariarne Titmus, 3:55.44 - Australian Olympic & Paralympic Trials 2024
- Summer McIntosh, 3:56.08 - Bell Canadian Swimming Trials 2023
- Summer McIntosh, 3:56.26 - 2025 World Champs
McIntosh's dominance in this event is undeniable. But what's even more impressive is that today's swim was her first since the 2025 World Championships. She had originally planned to compete in the World Cup series in October but had to withdraw due to illness.
So, what do you think? Is McIntosh on her way to becoming the next swimming legend? Or is there someone else who could challenge her record? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
In this story, we also acknowledge the contributions of Anya Pelshaw, who has been with SwimSwam since 2021, covering events like the Women's NCAA Championships and the US Summer Nationals.
