Summer McIntosh Misses A Final, Will Swim B Final Tonight

At the Pan Pacific Championships, Canadian swimming star Summer McIntosh missed the 400-meter freestyle A-final after placing ninth in the morning heats, according to an Instagram announcement made by the swimmer. McIntosh stated that she misjudged the morning preliminaries but confirmed she would swim in the B-final during the evening session, where she will race in clear water against a field featuring only two other swimmers who broke the 4-minute, 10-second mark during the morning swim.

Heat Performance and Qualifying Results

Swimming in the third final heat, McIntosh posted a time that placed her three seconds behind Australia’s Lani Pallister. According to race data, McIntosh was also outsplit by a full second on the final 50 meters by China’s Fan Yaqi, an 8th-place qualifier who turns 15 years old this year. Despite missing the top tier of competitors, McIntosh enters the evening session holding the fastest time in the world for the distance this year by nearly four seconds. She swam the second-fastest performance in history at the U.S. Open in December with a mark of 3:55.37, while her world record stands at 3:54.18, set at last summer’s Canadian Trials.

Championship Context and Evening Projections

Had she qualified for the premier race, McIntosh would have likely entered the A-final as the favorite. Australian rival Lani Pallister and American standout Katie Ledecky now headline that race as the primary favorites. This meet has yielded one gold and one silver medal across three individual events for McIntosh thus far, marking a different level of competition compared to her previous World Championships and Olympic performances. She captured the World Championship title last year in 3:56.26, finishing two seconds ahead of Li Bingjie and Katie Ledecky.

Looking Ahead to the 200 IM

Following her redemption swim in the 400 freestyle B-final, McIntosh will have an immediate opportunity to secure another gold medal when she competes in the 200 individual medley. The individual medley event is scheduled for the following day of the Pan Pacific Championships, offering a quick turnaround for the multi-record holder to add to her medal tally at the meet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Summer McIntosh miss the 400 free A-final?

According to her social media statement, McIntosh misjudged the morning heats, resulting in a ninth-place finish that placed her just outside the top eight qualifiers for the A-final.

What is Summer McIntosh’s personal best in the 400 freestyle?

Her world record stands at 3:54.18, which she recorded at the Canadian Trials.

Who are the favorites in the 400 free A-final?

Katie Ledecky and Lani Pallister enter the A-final as the primary favorites following the morning preliminary heats.