Summer McIntosh, the current world record-holder in the women’s 400-meter freestyle event, did not qualify for the A final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California. In the morning heat, she narrowly missed finishing second to Australia’s Lani Pallister, placing third overall with a time of 4:08.56, which was 14 seconds slower than her record time. The eighth and final spot for the evening final was secured by China’s Fan Yaqi, aged 15, with a time of 4:08.36.
As a result, the 19-year-old Canadian standout from Toronto, along with her teammate Ella Cosgrove, who ranked 13th overall, will participate in the B final at 10:01 p.m. McIntosh acknowledged her misjudgment in the morning heats on Instagram, taking full responsibility and expressing gratitude for the support.
The live stream for the event can be accessed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. McIntosh had previously set a new record of 3:54.18 in the Canadian swimming trials in Victoria last June, surpassing the record set by the now-retired Ariarne Titmus of Australia in 2023.
The highly anticipated A final at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center featured a competitive lineup with American record-holder Katie Ledecky leading the qualifiers with a time of 4:03.48, while Pallister secured the fourth position with a time of 4:05.22. McIntosh, who won her first Pan Pacific title in the women’s 400-meter individual medley, missed the A final in the 400-meter freestyle.
McIntosh began her Pan Pacs journey with a silver in the women’s 200 free and continued to impress by setting a championship record in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:28.01. Additionally, she won bronze in the women’s 200 free relay alongside teammates Mary-Sophie Harvey, Emma O’Croiniin, and Brooklyn Douthwright. McIntosh is scheduled to compete in the 200 IM on Saturday at the championships.
The young swimmer’s performance and journey at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships can be followed closely through various media outlets, showcasing her dedication and talent in the competitive swimming arena.