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The first session of the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships will kick off today at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center in Tokyo. The meet runs from Aug 9-14 and features the following federations: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Cook Islands, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, New Zealand, Oman, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Thailand and the United States of America.
Three events will be conducted in a trials/finals format on day one, while the women’s 800 Freestyle and men’s 1500 Freestyle will be swum as timed finals. The mixed 4 x 100 Medley Relay will also be contested in tonight’s finals.
Women’s 200 Freestyle
Katie Ledecky led the Americans three-for-three by claiming the top seed in the 200 Freestyle. Despite coming in at about half a second off her entry time, the swim of 1:55.16 was still quick enough to break her own meet record set in 2014. Teammate Allison Schmitt edged out Leah Smith 1:56.36-1:56.81 to earn a spot in tonight’s final. Schmitt was out in a quick 56.53 and was able to hold of Smith in the back half.
Canada’s Taylor Ruck broke of the American domination coming in fourth in 1:56.84. USA’s Katie McLaughlin was right behind in 1:56.88. Ruck should pose a challenge for the Americans in tonight’s final as she comes in with the second-fastest entry time only behind Ledecky.
Ruck’s teammate Kayla Sanchez placed sixth, but will hold the fourth seed for tonight’s final in 1:57.39. The swim was a season-best for the Canadian. Joining them in the top eight tonight are Japan’s Rikako Ikee (1:57.43), Australia’s Mikkayla Sheridan (1:58.05), Japan’s Chihiro Igarashi (1:58.51) and Australia’s Madeline Groves (1:58.80).
Katie Ledecky led the Americans three-for-three by claiming the top seed in the 200 Freestyle. Despite coming in at about half a second off her entry time, the swim of 1:55.16 was still quick enough to break her own meet record set in 2010.
She went a 1:56 at 13?
I know, I saw that, too. It’s an error.
Good job katie