Toronto’s Summer McIntosh kicked off her Pan Pacific Swimming Championships debut with a second-place finish in the women’s 200-metre freestyle in Irvine, Calif. The 19-year-old touched the wall in 1:53.86, coming in just behind Australia’s Lani Pallister, who set a championship record with 1:53.67. Erika Fairweather of New Zealand secured the third spot with a time of 1:55.05 at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.
After the race, McIntosh expressed her thoughts, stating that she felt she didn’t start fast enough and was preoccupied with her turns. She believed she was overthinking instead of focusing on racing. Despite the disappointment, she remains optimistic, viewing it as a learning opportunity towards her goal of winning at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
During the race, Pallister initially led McIntosh by a slight margin, but McIntosh took the lead at the 100-metre mark. However, Pallister surged ahead in the final stretch, ultimately securing the gold.
McIntosh, predominantly a 400 freestyler, incorporated training for the 200 freestyle into her routine, aligning well with her event schedule. She also plans to compete in the 200 individual medley, 400 free, and 400 IM at the championships.
In another event, Blake Tierney from Saskatoon clinched the gold in the men’s 100m backstroke with a time of 53.18 seconds. This marked his first international gold medal, attributing his success to dedicated training.
Taylor Ruck added to Canada’s medal tally by winning bronze in the women’s 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke finals. Ruck set a Canadian record in the 50m butterfly and showcased her competitive spirit throughout the competition.
The evening concluded with the Canadian 4×100 medley relay team, comprising Ruck, Ingrid Wilm, Oliver Dawson, and Finlay Knox, securing a bronze medal. The United States and Australia claimed gold and silver, respectively, in the event.
The competition showcased remarkable performances from Canadian swimmers, setting the stage for further success in the ongoing championships.