Summer McIntosh, the current world record holder 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 secure second place behind Australia’s Lani Pallister in the morning heat, McIntosh was narrowly out-touched, finishing third and ninth overall with a time of 4 minutes 8.56 seconds, 14 seconds slower than her record-setting time. China’s Fan Yaqi, aged 15, clinched the final spot for the evening final at 10:07 p.m. ET with a time of 4:08.36.
The 19-year-old Canadian standout from Toronto acknowledged her misjudgment in the morning heats, expressing regret on Instagram and taking full responsibility for her performance. McIntosh, along with teammate Ella Cosgrove, who placed 13th overall, will compete in the B final at 10:01 p.m. The live stream of the event can be accessed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
In June, McIntosh set a new record of 3:54.18 at the Canadian swimming trials in Victoria, surpassing the previous record held by the retired Ariarne Titmus of Australia. The highly anticipated A final at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center was expected to feature a showdown between 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 Pan Pacific debut on Wednesday saw her claim a silver medal in the women’s 200 free, finishing just behind Pallister. She continued her success by setting a championship record in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:28.01 and also contributed to a bronze medal in the women’s 200 free relay alongside Mary-Sophie Harvey, Emma O’Croiniin, and Brooklyn Douthwright. On Saturday, McIntosh is set to compete in the 200 IM event.