FINA Live Blog : Women’s 400m free: Ledecky (USA) wins gold in 3:59.82

From FINA Live Blog

In the much awaited duel between Katie Ledecky (USA) and Camille Muffat (FRA), the North American comfortably won the 400m free in a time of 3:59.82, the first performance under four minutes since the beginning of the year. Until the 300m-mark, Ledecky, the surprising winner of the 800m free at the 2012 Olympics, swam under the WR pace, but the last 100m proved to be quite hard for her. It is her first medal at the FINA World Championships.

The silver went to Spain’s Melania Costa, also the second fastest of the heats, in 4:02.47 – first success at this level –, while Lauren Boyle from New Zealand took home the bronze in 4:03.89, getting the first podium presence for her country in women’s events in the history of the FINA World Championships.

Muffat, the Olympic champion was far from her best, and concluded in a modest seventh place, in 4:07.67.

World Record: Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 3:59.15 – July 26, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Championships Record: Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 3:59.15 – July 26, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Camille Muffat (FRA), 4:02.84 – June in Montecarlo (MON)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Hannah Stockbauer (GER, 4:06.75); 2005 – Laure Manaudou (FRA, 4:06.44); 2007 – Laure Manaudou (FRA, 4:02.61); 2009 – Federica Pellegrini (ITA, 3:59.15); 2011 – Federica Pellegrini (ITA, 4:01.97)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Laure Manaudou (FRA, 2005 & 2007) and Federica Pellegrini (ITA, 2009 & 2011)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Camille Muffat (FRA, 4:01.45), 2. Allison Schmitt (USA, 4:01.77), 3. Rebecca Adlington (GBR, 4:03.01)


source : Barcelona 2013 - FINA Live Blog