Get ready for a splash! The 2025 World Cup series is officially underway, and the first stop promises to be an exciting one. We're kicking things off in Carmel, Indiana, from October 10th to 12th, featuring short course meter (SCM – 25-meter) races. This event is set to showcase some of the world’s top swimming talent in a series of intense competitions.
You can find all the essential details, including the official schedule and entry lists, at the links provided below:
- Meet Central: https://www.worldaquatics.com/competitions/4969/world-aquatics-swimming-world-cup-2025
- Psych Sheets: https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ENTRIES_BOOK.pdf
- All The Links: https://swimswam.com/all-the-links-you-need-for-the-2025-carmel-world-cup-stop/
- Day 1 Prelims Heat Sheet: https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-World-Cup-Carmel-Day-1-Prelims-Heat-Sheet.pdf
Good morning and welcome to the preliminary session of the 2025 World Cup! Carmel, Indiana, is buzzing with anticipation, especially for the Shackell siblings – Aaron, Alex, and Andrew – who are sure to receive a warm welcome from the hometown crowd.
But here's where it gets interesting: Today's schedule is heavily focused on sprint events for the men, while the women will see a more balanced mix of distances. Let's take a look at what's on the agenda for Day 1 Prelims:
- 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
With the North American leg of the World Cup underway, many of the continent’s top swimmers are in attendance. Leading the charge for the United States are powerhouses Regan Smith, Kate Douglass, and Gretchen Walsh. These athletes achieved remarkable feats at the 2024 Short Course Worlds in Budapest, breaking multiple World Records. They’re back now, aiming to improve upon those times and defend their titles.
Smith, the current World Record holder in the 50 backstroke, faces stiff competition from Kaylee McKeown, Katharine Berkoff, and Walsh. Speaking of Walsh, this is the part most people miss: she’s the top seed and World Record holder in both the 50 freestyle and 100 IM, promising some thrilling races. Her teammate, Douglass, will be looking to continue her dominance in the 200 breaststroke, another event where she set a World Record in Budapest, and will also challenge in the 100 IM.
On the men’s side, Leon Marchand is the star attraction. The French swimmer, training in Texas, has made a strategic change, scratching the 100 IM in favor of the 400 free and a surprising entry in the 200 backstroke – where he’s seeded surprisingly low in the outside lane. Joining Marchand from Texas is Hungary’s Hubert Kos, who leads the 200 backstroke field but is also seeded lower than expected in the 100 IM. The 100 IM is shaping up to be a battleground, with Thomas Ceccon, Noe Ponti, Finlay Knox, Michael Andrew, and Shaine Casas all vying for a spot in the final.
Let's dive into some of the results from the early heats:
Women’s 400 Freestyle – Timed Finals (early heats)
- World Record: 3:50.25 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2024)
- World Junior Record: 3:50.25 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2024)
- World Cup Record: 3:52.80 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2022)
- U.S. Open Record: 3:54.04 – Katie Ledecky, USA (2022)
Results:
- Paige Downey (CLB) – 4:11.47
- Abby Carlson (CLB) – 4:12.35
- Alexandra Siegel (CLB) – 4:14.42
- Clare Herfel (CLB) – 4:16.82
- Ellie Kayser (CLB) – 4:17.50
- Ava Metzger (CLB) – 4:18.63
- Jane Chevalier (CLB) – 4:18.77
- Isabella Teply (CLB) – 4:18.93
The first heat saw Ava Metzger take an early lead, maintaining a strong pace through the first 100 meters. Despite a strong push from Karolina Anna Valko of Slovakia, Metzger ultimately secured the win with a time of 4:18.63. The second heat was more competitive, with Alexandra Siegel initially leading before Paige Downey surged ahead to win in 4:11.47, closely followed by Abby Carlson in 4:12.35.
Men’s 400 Freestyle – Timed Finals (early heats)
- World Record: 3:32.25 – Yannick Agnel, FRA (2012)
- World Junior Record: 3:37.92 – Matthew Sates, RSA (2021)
- World Cup Record: 3:32.77 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
- U.S. Open Record: 3:35.99 – Kieran Smith, USA (2022)
Results:
- Leon Marchand (FRA) – 3:38.25
- Charlie Hawke (AUS) – 3:42.03
- Max Litchfield (GBR) – 3:44.83
- Kai Taylor (AUS) – 3:46.12
- Carson Hick (CLB) – 3:47.44
- Swann Plaza (CLB) – 3:48.19
- Denis Loktev (ISR) – 3:48.48
- Maximillian Giuliani (AUS) – 3:49.21
Denis Loktev set the initial fastest time in the first heat. Max Litchfield then employed a strong early pace in the second heat, building a significant lead that he maintained throughout the race, finishing in 3:44.83. Kai Taylor followed a similar strategy in the fourth heat, ultimately securing the win in 3:46.12. Leon Marchand, true to form, delivered a blistering performance, opening with a remarkable split and ultimately winning the heat in 3:38.25.
Women’s 50 Backstroke – Prelims
- World Record: 25.23 – Regan Smith, USA (2024)
- World Junior Record: 26.03 – Sara Curtis, ITA (2024)
- World Cup Record: 25.36 – Kaylee McKeown, AUS (2024)
- U.S. Open Record: 25.37 – Gretchen Walsh, USA (2024)
Top 8:
- Kaylee McKeown (AUS) –
