Toronto’s Summer McIntosh kicked off her participation at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, Calif., by securing a second-place finish in the women’s 200-meter freestyle event. The 19-year-old completed the race in 1 minute 53.86 seconds, coming in just under two-tenths behind Australia’s Lani Pallister, who set a championship record with a time of 1:53.67. Erika Fairweather of New Zealand claimed the third spot with a time of 1:55.05 at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.
Reflecting on her performance, McIntosh expressed a desire to have started faster and cited some technical errors during the race. Despite the disappointment of not clinching the top spot, she remains focused on her long-term goal of winning at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Pallister initially led McIntosh by a narrow margin after 50 meters, but McIntosh surged ahead at the 100-meter mark, only to be overtaken by Pallister in the final stretch.
Before this competition, McIntosh had not competed in the 200 freestyle at an international level since the 2023 world championships. She emphasized that her training for the 200 freestyle aligns well with her preparation for the 400 freestyle, which she primarily focuses on.
Additionally, McIntosh is set to participate in the 200 individual medley, 400 freestyle, and 400 IM events in Irvine. She qualified for the 200 free final with a time of 1:55.85, aiming to break the world record held by Titmus at 1:52.23.
In another event, Saskatoon’s Blake Tierney secured a gold medal in the men’s 100m backstroke with a time of 53.18 seconds, showcasing a strong finish to claim the victory.
Taylor Ruck, from Kelowna, made her mark by winning bronze in the women’s 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke finals, setting a Canadian record in the process. Ruck’s remarkable performance added to Canada’s medal count at the championships.
The Canadian team also clinched a bronze medal in the 4×100 medley relay, with Ruck, Ingrid Wilm, Oliver Dawson, and Finlay Knox contributing to the podium finish.
These outstanding achievements highlight the success of Canadian swimmers at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, showcasing their talent and dedication on the international stage.