Summer McIntosh smashes women's 400m freestyle world record at Canadian swim trials
Toronto native eclipses mark set by Australian Ariarne Titmus
Canadian Summer McIntosh smashed the women's 400-metre freestyle world record Saturday night, touching the wall in three minutes 54.18 seconds at the national swimming trials in Victoria.
McIntosh eclipsed the mark set by Australia's Ariarne Titmus (3:55.38) in 2023 at the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. She beat the other swimmers by more than 13 seconds.
McIntosh celebrated her fourth career long-course world record by slapping the water twice with her right hand then pumping her fist.
It was an unusual show of emotion from the usually stoic 18-year-old.
"Going into tonight I knew that my training had been strong the past couple months and I knew I was able to do something special, but I did not think I would be that fast," McIntosh, who shaved the record by 1.20 seconds, told CBC's Devin Heroux.
WATCH | McIntosh demolishes world record in 3:54.18:
Ella Jansen of Burlington, Ont., finished second in 4:07.36, under the World Aquatics qualifying time of 4:10.23, and enough to be selected to Team Canada for the July 26-Aug. 3 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
The 400 free was her first-ever world record when she swam 3:56.08 at the 2023 Canadian trials, but Titmus lowered the mark to 3:55.38 at world championships later that year. McIntosh finished behind Titmus for silver at last summer's Paris Olympics to go with the gold medals she won in the 200 and 400 individual medley and 200 butterfly.
She also holds the 400 IM world record, plus the 400 free, 200 butterfly and 400 IM in the short course pool.
After becoming the first women ever to swim under 3:55.00, the world-record performance even surprised the three-time Olympic champion.
"I was really not expecting that time," she said. "Just seeing the time after two years of really pushing my hardest every day ... and then finally having an amazing swim in it is really really satisfying."
WATCH | McIntosh reflects on 'amazing swim':
After hearing American icon Micheal Phelps was the last one to set a world record in the same Victoria pool, McIntosh shared a smile before saying, "I've always looked up to Michael, he is the GOAT of swimming".
Saturday night's event is only the beginning for McIntosh. She still has races in the women's 800m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 200m butterfly, and both the 200m and 400m individual medleys.
"I'm really excited to see what I can do the next couple of days."
Masse takes 100m backstroke
Five-time Olympic medallist, Kylie Masse won the women's 100m backstroke in 58.18 seconds, beating her own time she swam at Paris 2024.
After the race, the 29-year-old from LaSalle, Ont. explained what made this race special for her.
"This year's been different for me, just taking a little bit of a step back but obviously at the same time still putting in the work."
WATCH | Masse wins women's 100m backstroke title:
And with that step back Masse added that being able to spend time with her loved ones "fills your cup in a whole other way".
Mary-Sophie Harvey, of Laval, Que., won the women's 200m breaststroke in a personal-best time of 2:23.40. It was also her first trials win.
"It's kind of crazy," Harvey told CBC Sports's Devin Heroux. "I was telling my coach I've never won an event at trials. I think I've had so many second places, and I never thought it would be the 200 breaststroke for the first one. I'm pretty happy where I'm at right now."
Other winners:
- Oliver Dawson, Grande Prairie, Alta., men's 200m breaststroke (2:11.25).
- Cole Pratt, Regina, men's 100m backstroke (54.27).
- Ethan Ekk, men's 400m freestyle (3:49.57). Ekk hails from Tallahassee, Fla., but represents Canada on the international stage. His parents met playing college college volleyball in British Columbia, but moved to Florida over 20 years ago for work.
- Aly Van Wyck-Smart, Toronto, women's 50m breaststroke (SB2) (1:47.31).
- Ali Diehl, Prince Albert, Sask, women's 100m breaststroke (SB9) (1:24.44).
- Nicholas Bennett, Parksville, B.C., men's 100m breaststroke (SB14) (1:05.13).
Coverage of the national swimming trials in Victoria B.C. continues on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem from June 7-12th.
WATCH | CBC Sports' The Ready Room discusses storylines from national swim trials:
Katie Ledecky dominates 1,500m for 3rd U.S. title
Katie Ledecky won her third national title of the week on Saturday when she cruised to a victory in the women's 1500 meters at the U.S. Swimming Championships in Indianapolis.
Ledecky won the event in 15 minutes, 36.76 seconds, which was 16 seconds shy of the world record she set in 2018.
"I just wanted to put together a pretty even swim, hold a good pace," Ledecky said afterward. "That one hurt, but I'll take it."
Ledecky held a big lead throughout the entire race. Jillian Cox finished 29 seconds behind in 16:05.88 and Kate Hurst reached the wall in 16:16.06.
Ledecky earned titles in the 400 and 800 meters earlier in the meet.
With files from The Canadian Press and Field Level Media
