Katie Ledecky, Leah Smith Finish 1-2 in 800 Free Prelims at Worlds

Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA

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Women’s 800 Free

The United States finished 1-2 in prelims of the 800 free as Katie Ledecky posted the top time of 8:20.24, and Leah Smith came in second at 8:21.19. The duo topped the podium in that order in the 400 free on the first day and could do so again in the 800.

China’s Li Bingjie, who anchored her countrywomen to silver in the 800 free relay the night before, actually stayed close to Ledecky in their heat for much of the race before fading back towards the end. Li ended up qualifying third in 8:22.92.

Spain’s Mireia Belmonte, already the gold medalist in Budapest in the 200 fly and silver medalist in the 1500 free, qualified fourth in 8:24.98. Italy’s Simona Quadarella took fifth in 8:27.70, and Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas was sixth in 8:28.93.

China’s Zhang Yuhan (8:29.52) and Great Britain’s Holly Hibbott (8:30.66) picked up the last two qualifying spots for finals.

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