FINA World Championships Predictions: Men’s 1500 Free

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The slate of individual events at the FINA World Championships will conclude with the longest men’s race on the program, the 1500 free, as Gregorio Paltrinieri seeks to add to his 2015 World title and 2016 Olympic gold medal.

Paltrinieri ranks second all-time in the mile at 14:34.04, ahead of even the great Grant Hackett on the all-time list. The only man who has ever been quicker is Sun Yang, but he has not eclipsed 14:40 in the mile since 2012, and his 2017 season-best is 15:04.15.

Two of the top four finishers in the mile from the Olympics, both Americans, will be absent in Budapest. Silver medalist Connor Jaeger has retired, and fourth-place finisher Jordan Wilimovsky opted to focus on open water this year, and that paid off with a silver medal in the men’s 10k.

Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David Rieder, John Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.

Men’s 1500 Free

Current Records:

World Record: Sun Yang, CHN (2012) — 14:31.02
Championship Record: Sun Yang, CHN (2011) — 14:34.14
American Record: Connor Jaeger (2016) — 14:39.48

2015 World Champion: Gregorio Paltrinier, ITA — 14:39.67
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Gregorio Paltrinier, ITA — 14:34.57
2017 World No. 1: Gregorio Paltrinier, ITA — 14:37.08

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Gregorio Paltrinier, ITA
Silver: Gabriele Detti, ITA
Bronze: Mack Horton, AUS

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Gregorio Paltrinier, ITA
Silver: Gabriele Detti, ITA
Bronze: Mack Horton, AUS

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Gregorio Paltrinier, ITA
Silver: Gabriele Detti, ITA
Bronze: Mack Horton, AUS

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commonwombat

6 years ago

Frankly a vastly reduced field as regards quality as has been indicated by this year’s times which Paltinieri excepted & maybe DettI) have been distinctly “meh”.

Unless Paltinieri is severely off form, I can’t see him being threatened. Minors ….. Detti has to be fancied but I think this event is a case for some other faces to take their opportunity and run with it.

Who may that be ? Horton can swim fast domestic times in this event but has yet to convince at World/Olympic level. Jervis … maybe. The Americans …. will realistically need to swim to their best or produce PBs to final but the window of opportunity IS open should either of them really grasp that opportunity

6 years ago

Reply to commonwombat

Henrik Christiansen of Norway may gran the bronze medal here.

commonwombat

6 years ago

Reply to A

Not out of the question given he made the final in Rio. I suspect he will require a sizeable PB in order to medal but if he’s in the final, he’s got a chance and bronze at least looks an open book.