Aussie superstar ends Ledecky’s insane 15-year dominance
Lani Pallister has cemented her place in history, dethroning American legend Katie Ledecky in the women’s 800m freestyle at the Pan Pacifics with a time of 8:06.10.
The two embraced after the historic race, which snapped Ledecky’s remarkable 15-year undefeated streak in the 800m event on the world stage.
From left, silver medalist Katie Ledecky, of the United States, gold medalist Lani Pallister, of Australia, and bronze medalist Erika Fairweather. AP Photo/GREGORY BULL
Pallister was out in front from the starting gun, forcing the USA icon to fight for the silver with a time of 8:07.26, beating her idol for the second time in two nights.
“I think first of all, Katie is such a dominant force and I think it’s really important we give her a big round of applause,” Pallister said after the race.
“Without her, we wouldn’t have women’s distance swimming in the place where it is at the moment. And to be part of that at the moment, (it’s) pretty much all because we get to chase Katie.
“Thank you for all the support. My mom’s in the stands, Cody Simpson’s in the stands somewhere - I saw him on the screen. I’ve got the best support network here: Michael Bohl, my former coach, mom, Dean [Boxall].
“Without them, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today, both as an athlete and just as an individual.”
It was a triumphant night across the board for the Australians as Jamie Jack, Sam Short and Zac Stubblety-Cook also joined the winner’s circle.
Jack posted a championship-best time of 21.35 for the gold medal in the men’s 50m freestyle while Stubblety-Cook was victorious in the men’s 200m breaststroke finals in 2:08.09.
Short took gold in the 1500m freestyle, taking the win, a meet record and the Australian record.
It completes a golden trifecta across the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle events for the 22-year-old in both Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games and in Irvine.
He secured the victory with a lifetime-best performance of 14:33.97 and took down Grant Hackett’s 2001 Australian record time of 14:34.56 from the 2001 World Championships, a time posted before the young Aussie was even born.
“I wanted to be within 10 seconds of that world record otherwise, what’s the point of diving in? So, really happy I got there and I beat my hero’s Australian record and that’s older than me,” Short said after the race.
“I love (the pressure). It’s why I do it... I was glad I got to perform with one of my childhood heroes in the stands, Thorpie, so hopefully I impressed him.
Sam Short has enjoyed a great week at the Pan Pacs. Getty Images
“But, I don’t really have the target on my back, those Germans over there are just to me, incredible. I’m going to go back home, work my butt off and try and close the gap.”
Australia was beaten in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m medley relays by the United States of America, the host nation teams posting championship record times in the pool while the Aussies took home silver.