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. Placed to secure the second spot behind Australia’s Lani Pallister in the morning heat, McIntosh was narrowly out-touched, finishing third and ninth overall with a time of 4 minutes 8.56 seconds, 14 seconds slower than her record. China’s Fan Yaqi, aged 15, clinched the final eighth spot for the 10:07 p.m. ET final with a time of 4:08.36.
The 19-year-old Canadian from Toronto acknowledged her error in judgment in a social media post, taking full responsibility for missing the A final. She expressed gratitude for the support and confirmed her participation in the B final scheduled for 10:01 p.m., alongside her teammate Ella Cosgrove, who placed 13th overall.
The live stream for the event can be accessed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. McIntosh made headlines last June by setting a new record of 3:54.18 at the Canadian swimming trials in Victoria, surpassing the previous record held by retired Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus. The anticipated A final at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center was expected to showcase a fierce competition between American record-holder Katie Ledecky, Lani Pallister, and Summer McIntosh.
While Ledecky secured the top spot in the qualifying rounds with a time of 4:03.48, Pallister finished fourth with a time of 4:05.22. McIntosh, who won her first-ever Pan Pacific title in the women’s 400-meter individual medley, missed the A final in the 400-meter freestyle.
McIntosh’s debut at the Pan Pacifics saw her claim a silver medal in the women’s 200 freestyle and break the championship record in the 400 individual medley. She also contributed to the bronze medal win in the women’s 200 freestyle relay alongside Mary-Sophie Harvey, Emma O’Croiniin, and Brooklyn Douthwright. Scheduled to compete in the 200 IM on Saturday, McIntosh continues to showcase her talent and determination at the prestigious event.