Summer McIntosh, holding the world record in the women’s 400-meter freestyle, failed to secure a spot in the A final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California. Despite initially positioned to finish second behind Australia’s Lani Pallister in a morning heat, McIntosh was narrowly out-touched, landing in third place 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 eighth and final spot for the upcoming final with a time of 4:08.36.
The 19-year-old Canadian athlete from Toronto expressed her disappointment and took accountability for her performance on Instagram, stating that she will be competing in the B final later in the evening alongside her teammate Ella Cosgrove, who finished 13th overall.
Fans can catch the live stream of the event on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. McIntosh, who recently set a new record of 3:54.18 at the Canadian swimming trials in Victoria last June, had been anticipated to face off against American record-holder Katie Ledecky and Pallister in the A final. Ledecky secured the top spot in the qualifying rounds with a time of 4:03.48, while Pallister placed fourth with a time of 4:05.22.
McIntosh, who made her Pan Pacs debut earlier in the week with a silver in the 200 freestyle, followed up with impressive performances, including shattering the championship record in the 400 individual medley and winning bronze in the women’s 200 free relay. Her next event is scheduled for Saturday in the 200 IM.