Lani Pallister made history on Saturday, becoming just the third woman ever to swim the 1500m freestyle in under 15 minutes and 40 seconds. The Australian star clocked an impressive 15:39.14 at the World Championship Trials in Adelaide, setting a new Commonwealth record in the process.
With this remarkable swim, Pallister now joins an elite group that includes American legend Katie Ledecky and Denmark’s Lotte Friis. Only Friis (15:38.88 in 2013) and Ledecky—who holds the world record at 15:20.48—have gone faster.
It’s been a breakthrough meet for the 23-year-old, who also smashed Ariarne Titmus’s national 800m freestyle record and, for the first time, went under four minutes in the 400m.
Another standout performer was 20-year-old Ella Ramsay, who secured her place in four events for the upcoming World Championships in Singapore. Ramsay won the 400m individual medley with a time of 4:36.12, just edging out Jenna Forrester (4:36.19). She also claimed gold in the 200m medley and 200m breaststroke, and finished runner-up in the 100m breaststroke.
Ramsay had previously competed at the Paris Olympics, earning a silver medal with Australia’s 4x100m medley relay team. Although she placed fifth in the 400m medley, her hopes in the 200m medley were derailed due to a bout of COVID-19.
Both swimmers are showing top form as they gear up for the Worlds, giving Australia plenty to look forward to.
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