Summer McIntosh clinched her first gold medal at the Pan Pacific swimming championship by outpacing Australia’s Jenna Forrester in the women’s 400-meter individual medley at Irvine, California. McIntosh set a championship record with a time of four minutes and 28.01 seconds, with Forrester finishing nearly three seconds behind for the silver, and Agostina Hein from Argentina taking the bronze.
The previous Pan Pacific record of 4:31.99 was held by American Elizabeth Beisel since 2014. After the race, McIntosh expressed her satisfaction with her performance, acknowledging areas for improvement in her race strategy. She emphasized her joy in representing Canada and achieving victory.
In the women’s 4×200 freestyle relay, McIntosh contributed to Canada’s bronze medal finish alongside her teammates. The Canadian team secured the third spot with a time of 7:52.74, trailing behind Australia and the United States. McIntosh highlighted the importance of teamwork and expressed her ambition to continue podium success leading up to the 2028 Olympics.
On the men’s side, Tristan Jankovics and Lorne Wigginton of Canada placed 7th and 8th in the men’s 400 IM. Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsushita set a new championship record with a time of 4:06.75, surpassing the previous mark set by Ryan Lochte in 2010.
Additionally, Taylor Ruck from Kelowna, British Columbia, achieved a fifth-place finish in the women’s 100 free event. The competition saw Australia’s Meg Harris emerge victorious, with Ruck securing a commendable performance.
The event also showcased impressive performances from Canadian swimmers in various disciplines, contributing to the overall success of the team. The athletes showcased determination and skill, setting a positive tone for future competitions.