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 was narrowly out-touched, finishing third and ninth overall with a time of 4 minutes 8.56 seconds, which was 14 seconds off her record pace. China’s 15-year-old Fan Yaqi claimed the eighth and final spot for the evening final at 10:07 p.m. ET, clocking in at 4:08.36.
The 19-year-old Canadian standout from Toronto acknowledged her error in judgment during the morning heats, expressing her accountability on Instagram. McIntosh announced her participation in the B final scheduled for 10:01 p.m., where she will be joined by her teammate Ella Cosgrove, who placed 13th overall. Viewers can catch the live stream on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
McIntosh had set a new record of 3:54.18 at the Canadian swimming trials in Victoria last June, surpassing the previous mark held by retired Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus (3:55.38) from the 2023 world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. The much-anticipated A final on Friday at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center was anticipated as a showdown between American record-holder Katie Ledecky, Pallister, and McIntosh. Ledecky led the qualifiers with a time of 4:03.48, while Pallister secured the fourth spot with a time of 4:05.22.
McIntosh made her debut at the Pan Pacifics on Wednesday, earning a silver medal in the women’s 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:53.86, narrowly trailing Pallister who set a championship record at 1:53.67. She continued her success on Thursday by breaking the championship record in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:28.01 and also clinched bronze in the women’s 200 freestyle relay with her team. McIntosh is set to compete in the 200 IM on Saturday.