Good morning, everyone! Welcome to the first preliminary session of the 2025 World Cup Series. Our journey kicks off in Carmel, Indiana, where the Shackell siblings—Aaron, Alex, and Andrew—are set to receive a hearty dose of hometown support. This event marks the first stop of a three-meet series in North America, bringing together some of the continent's top talent. Joining us are American powerhouses Regan Smith, Kate Douglass, and Gretchen Walsh, who have been making waves in the swimming world. Just last winter, they broke multiple World Records at the 2024 Short Course Worlds in Budapest, and now they're back in action, aiming to defend their titles and push their times even further.
The first day of prelims is packed with sprint-heavy events for the men and a balanced mix for the women. Here’s what’s on the schedule:
- Women’s 400 Free
- Men’s 400 Free
- Women’s 50 Back
- Men’s 200 Back
- Women’s 200 Fly
- Men’s 100 Fly
- Women’s 200 Breast
- Men’s 100 Breast
- Women’s 50 Free
- Men’s 50 Free
- Women’s 100 IM
- Men’s 100 IM
On the women’s side, Regan Smith, the World Record holder in the 50 back, faces tough competition from Kaylee McKeown, Katharine Berkoff, and Gretchen Walsh, who is also the top seed in the 50 Free and 100 IM. Kate Douglass, known for her dominance in the 200 breast, will be looking to maintain her streak. On the men’s side, Leon Marchand leads the charge, with Hubert Kos and Thomas Ceccon also making waves. The 100 IM is shaping up to be a fierce battle, with Michael Andrew and Shaine Casas among the contenders.
The Women’s 400 Free saw Ava Metzger take the win with a time of 4:18.63, while Paige Downey dominated the second heat, stopping the clock at 4:11.47. In the Men’s 400 Free, Leon Marchand proved his mettle with a time of 3:38.25, the fastest of the morning. The Women’s 50 Backstroke was a closely contested event, with Kaylee McKeown emerging victorious at 25.72. Meanwhile, Leon Marchand continued to impress in the Men’s 400 Free, showcasing his strength and determination.
As the day unfolded, the races were filled with thrilling performances and unexpected twists. The Women’s 400 Free prelims highlighted the fierce competition among young swimmers, while the Men’s 400 Free prelims showcased the dominance of seasoned athletes like Leon Marchand. The Women’s 50 Backstroke prelims were a masterclass in strategy and execution, with Kaylee McKeown and Katharine Berkoff pushing each other to new heights.
This is just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable World Cup series. Stay tuned for more updates, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Are you excited to see how these swimmers will perform in the coming days? Drop your predictions and reactions here—we’d love to hear from you!
