Summer McIntosh, the current world record-holder in the women’s 400-meter freestyle event, did not qualify for the A final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California. She finished third in the morning heat behind Australia’s Lani Pallister, securing a ninth overall position 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 for the 10:07 p.m. ET final with a time of 4:08.36.
McIntosh, a 19-year-old swimming sensation from Toronto, expressed her regret for misjudging the morning heats in an Instagram post and announced her participation in the B final at 10:01 p.m., where she will be joined by her teammate Ella Cosgrove, who ranked 13th overall.
The live stream of the event can be accessed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. McIntosh, who previously set a new record of 3:54.18 in the Canadian swimming trials last June, surpassing the retired Ariarne Titmus’ record, was expected to compete against American record-holder Katie Ledecky and Lani Pallister in the A final.
In the 400-meter freestyle event, Ledecky secured the top qualifying spot with a time of 4:03.48, while 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 the following day.
McIntosh’s stellar performance at the Pan Pacifics included winning silver in the 200 free and setting a championship record in the 400 individual medley. She also grabbed a bronze medal in the women’s 200 free relay with her teammates. On the upcoming Saturday, McIntosh is set to compete in the 200 IM event.
The young Canadian swimmer’s journey at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships has been a mix of highs and lows, showcasing her exceptional talent and determination in the pool.