The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin kicked off with a bang, awarding a total of $18,000 in prize money on Night One. This was a thrilling start to the series, with athletes vying for top spots in their respective events. Here's a breakdown of the action and the winners who took home the cash.
Event Winners and Prize Money
The following events were held on Night One, with prize money awarded to the top three finishers:
- Women's 1500 Freestyle: Katie Ledecky claimed the gold with a time of 15:23.21, earning her $1,500. Second place went to Brinkleigh Hansen, who finished in 15:25.78, earning $1,000. Becca Mann secured the bronze with a time of 15:32.45, taking home $500.
- Men's 1500 Freestyle: Bobby Finke dominated the race, finishing in 15:01.70, and earned the top prize of $1,500. Daniel Wiffen came in second with a time of 15:05.21, receiving $1,000. Ryan Erisman took the bronze with a time of 15:07.89, securing $500.
- Women's 100 Breaststroke: Anna Elendt swam to victory in 1:06.91, winning $1,500. Skyler Smith finished second in 1:07.23, earning $1,000. Kate Canales took the bronze with a time of 1:07.56, receiving $500.
- Men's 100 Breaststroke: Van Mathias clocked in at 59.45, securing the gold medal and $1,500. Denis Petrashov finished second in 59.78, earning $1,000. Mitch Mason took the bronze with a time of 59.91, receiving $500.
- Women's 100 Backstroke: Regan Smith swam to victory in 57.98, claiming the $1,500 prize. Rylee Erisman finished second in 58.21, earning $1,000. Anna Peplowski took the bronze with a time of 58.45, securing $500.
- Men's 100 Backstroke: Yohann Ndoye-Brouard swam to victory in 53.67, earning the top prize of $1,500. Mewen Tomac finished second in 54.12, receiving $1,000. Grant Bochenski took the bronze with a time of 54.34, securing $500.
Prize Money Breakdown
The prize money distribution was consistent across all events, with the top three finishers in each event receiving the following amounts:
- 1st place: $1,500
- 2nd place: $1,000
- 3rd place: $500
This series is a testament to the competitive spirit of swimmers, offering a substantial reward for their hard work and dedication. It's a great opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills and compete for valuable prize money.
