Summer McIntosh, the holder of the women’s 400-meter freestyle world record, did not qualify for the A final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California. Despite being in a position to secure second place in a morning heat behind Australia’s Lani Pallister, McIntosh finished third and ninth overall with a time of 4:08.56, which was 14 seconds slower than her record time. China’s Fan Yaqi, aged 15, clinched the final spot in the 10:07 p.m. ET final with a time of 4:08.36.
The 19-year-old Canadian standout from Toronto announced that she and her teammate Ella Cosgrove, who finished 13th overall, will participate in the B final at 10:01 p.m. The event can be livestreamed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. McIntosh took full responsibility for her performance, acknowledging her misjudgment in the morning heats in a post on Instagram and expressing gratitude for the support received.
In June, McIntosh set a new record of 3:54.18 at the Canadian swimming trials in Victoria, surpassing the previous mark held by the retired Ariarne Titmus of Australia. The highly anticipated A final at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center featured a competitive lineup including American record-holder Katie Ledecky, Lani Pallister, and McIntosh. Ledecky secured the top spot in qualifying with a time of 4:03.48, while Pallister finished fourth with a time of 4:05.22.
McIntosh’s debut at the Pan Pacifics saw her earning a silver medal in the women’s 200 freestyle on Wednesday, finishing closely behind Pallister. She continued her success on Thursday by setting a new championship record in the 400 individual medley and winning bronze in the women’s 200 freestyle relay. McIntosh is set to compete in the 200 IM on Saturday.
