New Zealand star Lauren Boyle was edged into fifth place in the 400m freestyle on the opening night of finals at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, yesterday.
The Commonwealth Games gold medallist had qualified fourth-fastest with a controlled effort of 4min 5.53sec.
While she was more than a second faster in the final, she found herself pipped in the tight battle for the podium.
American Katie Ledecky continued in a class of her own, winning in a championship record 3min 59.13sec.
Dutch newcomer Sharon van Rouwendaal, a silver medallist in the 10km open water swim, was surprised to win the silver medal, and Australian Jessica Ashwood set a national record of 4min 3.34sec to take bronze.
Commonwealth Games 800m gold medallist Jaz Carlin (Great Britain) was fourth in 4min 3.74sec and Boyle fifth in 4min 4.38sec, a shade outside her New Zealand record.
Boyle said she felt the swim was a solid start to her campaign in Kazan.
''I was pleased with the swim, to be honest. It was just a fraction outside my best at that distance.
''I think it sets me up quite well for my main events to come and I am looking forward to the 1500m freestyle tomorrow.
''A medal would have been nice for sure but the swim felt good to me, which is the main thing.''
Earlier in the day, Boyle was the only New Zealander who performed to standard in the heat sessions.
Matt Stanley was well off the pace in the 400m freestyle, clocking 3min 56.79sec to be 47th-fastest in a remarkable session in which world No 1 Mack Horton and No 3 David McKeon, both of Australia, missed qualifying.
Boyle was bang on her scheduled splits - only 0.4sec separated her fastest and slowest length - with a 4min 5.53sec to be fourth-fastest.
Team-mate Emma Robinson managed 4min 16:43sec, well outside her best, to be 20th-fastest.
The closest miss befell veteran Glenn Snyders, who was 0.09sec outside qualifying in the men's 100m breaststroke.
The US-based swimmer posted 1min 0.44sec, but in a tightly backed field, it was the 18th-fastest.
