Summer McIntosh, the current world record-holder in the women’s 400-meter freestyle, fell short of qualifying for the A final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California. Despite being in contention to secure the second spot behind Australia’s Lani Pallister in the morning heat, McIntosh was narrowly edged out, finishing third and ninth overall with a time of 4 minutes 8.56 seconds, which was 14 seconds slower than her record-breaking time. The eighth and final spot for the evening final at 10:07 p.m. ET was claimed by China’s Fan Yaqi, aged 15, with a time of 4:08.36.
Following this outcome, the 19-year-old Canadian sensation from Toronto announced that she will participate in the B final at 10:01 p.m. alongside her teammate Ella Cosgrove, who secured the 13th spot overall. The B final action can be streamed live on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. McIntosh took to Instagram to express her accountability for misjudging the morning heats, acknowledging her supporters and looking forward to the B final.
In a remarkable performance last June at the Canadian swimming trials in Victoria, McIntosh set a new record of 3:54.18 in the women’s 400-meter freestyle, surpassing the previous record set by the now-retired Ariarne Titmus of Australia in 2023. The highly anticipated A final on Friday at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center was anticipated to be a showdown between American record-holder Katie Ledecky, Lani Pallister, and Summer McIntosh. Ledecky emerged as the top qualifier with a time of 4:03.48, while Pallister secured the fourth spot with a time of 4:05.22.
McIntosh made her debut at the Pan Pacific Championships on Wednesday, clinching the silver in the women’s 200 freestyle with a time of 1:53.86, closely behind Pallister who set a championship record of 1:53.67. She continued her success on Thursday by breaking the championship record in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:28.01, and also contributed to winning the bronze in the women’s 200 freestyle relay alongside Mary-Sophie Harvey, Emma O’Croiniin, and Brooklyn Douthwright. Looking ahead, McIntosh is set to compete in the 200 IM on Saturday.
For those interested in McIntosh’s journey at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, CBC Sports provides coverage of her performances and interviews, capturing her highs and lows throughout the competition.
