Summer McIntosh Edges Katie Ledecky in Spectacular 400 Freestyle at Fort Lauderdale Open; Kate Douglass Doubles
Two of the sport’s greats, Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky, gave the fans in attendance at the Fort Lauderdale Open a show in the final of the 400-meter freestyle on Thursday night. While both women have churned out faster times through the years, they were barely separated through eight laps of competition at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.
At the finish, Canada’s McIntosh narrowly edged the United States’ Ledecky, 3:58.91 to 3:59.02. The times ranks first and second in the world for 2026, bumping Australia’s Lani Pallister (3:59.36) from the top spot. The event was the first of the weekend for McIntosh, who is the world-record holder in the event at 3:54.18. Ledecky was coming off a victory in the 1500 freestyle from Wednesday night, where she posted the fifth-fastest time in history.
During their latest meeting, McIntosh and Ledecky were never separated by more than .43, which was the Canadian’s advantage at the halfway point of the race. Down the stretch, they were basically even, with McIntosh holding leads of .08 at 250 meters, .12 at the 300, .08 at the 350 and .11 at the finish. It was the type of racing the sport needs during non-championship action, as the stars engaged the crowd and battled feverishly.
In addition her status as the world-record holder, McIntosh is the reigning world champion in the 400 freestyle. As for Ledecky, she is a former world-record holder, the 2016 Olympic champion and a four-time world champ. McIntosh and Ledecky are expected to meet later this summer at the Pan Pacific Championships, with Pallister also set for competition.
The Splits
McIntosh: 27.56–57.61–1:27.78–1:58.33–2:28.95–2:59.48–3:29.75–3:58.91
Ledecky: 27.79–57.91–1:27.94–1:58.76–2:29.03–2:59.60–3:29.83–3:59.02
Kate Douglass Doubles in Short Turnaround
Kate Douglass wasted no time putting her stamp on the Day Two finals session, as the former University of Virginia star secured titles in the first two women’s events. Racing against a pair of top-notch fields in less than a 15-minute window, Douglass picked up victories in the 100-meter freestyle and 100 breaststroke at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.
The Team USA veteran kicked off the evening by winning the 100 freestyle in 53.01, with UVA athletes also placing second and third. Douglass split 25.39 and 27.62 for her two laps, which handed her the win over Anna Moesch (53.25) and Gretchen Walsh (53.44). All three women could play a role for the United States in the 400 freestyle relay at this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine.
In the 100 breaststroke, Douglass and Ireland’s Mona McSharry engaged in a tight duel, with Douglass emerging victorious in 1:06.58. McSharry held the lead at the turn, behind an opening split of 31.21, but Douglass caught her during the back half of the race. Douglass put together an outgoing split of 31.37 and came home in 35.21 to edge McSharry, who touched in 1:06.66. Eneli Jefimova was third in 1:07.42.
Texas Titles from Chris Guiliano and Regan Smith
Sitting atop the 2026 world rankings in the 100 freestyle, Chris Guiliano had no trouble winning that event at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center. Guiliano checked in with a time of 48.43, which was a quarter-second clear of Tomas Navikonis, who went 48.69. Guiliano owns the No. 1 time in the world, thanks to a 47.38 from early March at the TYR Pro Series stop in Westmont (Ill.). Third place was secured by Patrick Sammon in 48.76.
Another Texas athlete bested the competition in the 200 butterfly, as Regan Smith put together an impressive performance of 2:05.00. The reigning Olympic silver medalist in the event, Smith won by nearly three seconds over Lindsay Looney (2:07.93). Smith was 27.77 over the first length and made the 100-meter turn in 59.75. She touched in 1:31.90 at 150 meters and closed with a split of 33.10.
In Other Action…
The sprint speed of Isabelle Stadden was on display in the 50 backstroke, which the United States National Teamer won in 27.29. That effort equaled the time Stadden posted at the TYR Pro Series meet in the Chicago suburbs and was almost a half-second ahead of second place Katharine Berkoff (27.74), the reigning world champion in the event.
Jack Kelly prevailed in the men’s 100 breaststroke, going 1:00.35 to defeat Ian Call (1:00.72) and Hungarian star Hubert Kos (1:01.94), who was dabbling in an off event. Kos came back shortly after to win the 50 backstroke in 25.12, with Shaine Casas placing second in 25.21.