Lani Pallister vs. Katie Ledecky in 800M Freestyle | 2026 Pan Pacific Championships

A rematch tonight of one of the greatest races in swimming history. The Singapore 2025 World Championship Final, where Ledecky and Pallister duked it out all the way to the final touch, separated by just 3 tenths of a second. Katie Ledecky with an 8.05.62, continuing her streak of winning the world title in the 800m freestyle to 7. Opening speed here from Pallister, 57.53. In Singapore, she was a 57.8 on the opening 100. The U.S. Open record is also the American and world record. 8.04.12 from Ledecky at the 2025 Pro Swim Series stop in Fort Lauderdale. On that swim, she was out in a 1.27.5 at the 150. 1.27.9 here from Pallister. Just 3 tenths of a world record pace, and Ledecky just a quarter of a second behind Pallister. Third is Fairweather of New Zealand in lane 6. Fairweather with a lifetime best of 8.18 flat. Less than a half second off her national record set by Lauren Boyle in 2015 at 8.17.6. It's Pallister just like Sam Short looking for her third individual gold of the meet. So far, Pallister victorious in the 200 freestyle and the 400 freestyle. Her and Ledecky rumbled in the 1500. Pallister was silver in that race. First 200, 1.58.4. Pallister a half second under her lifetime best pace. This was similar to the Singapore Swim where McIntosh and Pallister sort of pushed Ledecky through the front 400 of the race. 5 there for Lani, 30.7 from Katie. This is the final individual race of the Pan Pac Championship, so don't sit on your feet, ladies and gentlemen. This is an opportunity to get behind the greatest of all time, Katie Ledecky. And perhaps the new challenger, Lani Pallister in lane 5. Here she is leading by 8 tenths of a second. 2.59.5 at the 300 under PB pace for Pallister. The all-time standings in this 800-meter freestyle. It's Katie Ledecky, then Summer McIntosh with her 8.05.07 from the 2025 Canadian Trials. Then it's Pallister, third all-time, 8.05.98. Those are the only three athletes ever to break 8 tenths in the women's 800-meter freestyle. 400 split. Coming up, Ledecky on world-record paces of 4.017. Pallister in Singapore was a 4.013. Pallister showing no fear here, attacking the front half of this race in a 4.007. A fantastic 400 freestyle time for Pallister going out. 4.0202 from Ledecky, Fairweather 4.07.27. Then it's Katie Grimes in a flip to come to bronze in the 10K on Monday in the Open Water Contest. 30.6 from Pallister, 30.8 from Ledecky. Looking for a 500 split, 5.02 from Pallister. By a body length now, going into the 500. A lead, potentially growing on that 50 as Pallister flips through. 31.02, Ledecky 31.01. Holding pace. This could be the opening that Ledecky is waiting for. At some point, will Pallister continue on this world-record pace as we go into the 550-meter turn, or will Katie Ledecky start closing in? Pallister, 30.7, Ledecky, 30.9. That's right, Irvine, get your hands in the air. Help these athletes out as we approach the 600-meter turn. Just four and a half lengths of the pool remaining. Ronnie Pallister looking so strong in lane five. She rolls through, 3.9, 31.0 from Ledecky. The world-record pace, less than a tenth now. Fairweather holding third ahead of Katie Grimes in lane three. We'll see if Grimes can advance up and get on the podium. 650-meter turn coming up. Pallister showing no sign of slowing down. 31.0 on that 50, 31.0 from Ledecky. The lead 1.7 seconds for Lonnie Pallister. Ledecky running out of time and space now. She wants to claim gold here in Irvine in the 800. Can Pallister hold off the greatest 800 freestyler ever and potentially take her world record here in Irvine on the final nine of Pan Pacs? We will find out in 100 meters. Pallister, 30.9, Ledecky, 30.9. All right, Irvine, on your feet, let's go. 85 meters remaining. Katie Ledecky pulled off a miraculous comeback from lane four. She is gaining on Pallister. Lonnie Pallister, 31.0, Ledecky, 30.3. The lead is less than a half second. Here comes the kick from Ledecky. They're breathing away from each other. Pallister sprinting now, sprinting in lane four. She can sense the danger. And Lonnie Pallister will hold on all the way to the final wall with an 8.06.10 to lower the Pan Pac championship record. Ledecky Grimes took third going into the final 100, but Fairweather home in a 29.44. She will grab bronze for New Zealand in lane six at 8.18.81. But once again, a race for the ages. Everyone in the venue, let's put our hands together for Katie Ledecky and your champion, Lonnie Pallister. There she is, Irvine, Lonnie Pallister, three-time champion. Lonnie Pallister, 800 meter freestyle champion. I have one word for you, and it's unstoppable. Not only did you win the two, the four, and you were literally under world record pace for most of this 800. First off, congratulations. Second off, how did you manage to pull off this tremendous program? Yeah, I think first of all, you know, Katie is such a dominant force, and I think it's really important we give her a big round of a hand. Without her, we wouldn't have women's distance swimming in the place we're at at the moment, and to be part of that story at the moment, yeah, pretty much all because we get to chase Katie. And Katie's done, like you said, so much for the sport. She's pushed you so, so much, especially last year in Singapore, here in Pan Pacs this year. It takes a village, your competitors, your family, your coach. I just saw you go hug Dean. What do you want to say to the people back at home in Australia? Thanks for all the support. You know, my mom's in the stands. Cody Simpson's in the stands somewhere. I saw him on the screen. So, you know, I've got the best support network here, Michael Ball, my former coach, mom, Dean, and Mick. So without them, I wouldn't be the person that I am today, both as an athlete and just as an individual. Well, Lonnie, we are so proud of you. Irvine, give it up for your 800 meter freestyle champion, Lonnie Pallister. Go, Lonnie!