Summer McIntosh, who holds the world record in the women’s 400-meter freestyle, did not qualify for the A final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California. Despite being in a position to finish second behind Australia’s Lani Pallister in the morning heat, McIntosh was narrowly out-touched, placing third and ninth overall with a time of four minutes and 8.56 seconds, which was 14 seconds slower than her record time. China’s Fan Yaqi, at just 15 years old, secured the eighth and final spot for the upcoming final at 10:07 p.m. ET with a time of 4:08.36.
The Canadian swimming sensation from Toronto, aged 19, announced that she will compete in the B final at 10:01 p.m., alongside her teammate Ella Cosgrove, who finished 13th overall. Viewers can watch the live stream on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
Addressing her performance on Instagram, McIntosh took full responsibility for misjudging the morning heats and expressed gratitude for the support she received. She assured her followers that she would be participating in the B final later that evening.
Last June, McIntosh set a new record of 3:54.18 at the Canadian swimming trials in Victoria, surpassing the previous record set by the now-retired Ariarne Titmus of Australia. The much-anticipated A final at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center was expected to be a showdown between American record-holder Katie Ledecky, Pallister, and McIntosh. Ledecky claimed the top spot in qualifying with a time of 4:03.48, while Pallister secured fourth place with a time of 4:05.22.
McIntosh made her debut at the Pan Pacific Championships on Wednesday in the women’s 200 freestyle, where she won silver. She continued her success by breaking the championship record in the 400 individual medley and also earned a bronze medal in the women’s 200 freestyle relay the following day. On Saturday, McIntosh is set to compete in the 200 IM event.
