Summer McIntosh continues to etch her name in history during Canadian swimming trials at the Saanich Commonwealth Place pool in Victoria.
McIntosh, 18, shattered the world record in the women’s 200-metre individual medley on Monday, touching the wall in 2 minutes, 5.7 seconds.
“I’m really just trying to take it one race at a time and really kind of cruising the heats, kind of stretching it out and then coming into every final session super, super locked in and focused,” McIntosh told CBC Sports’ Devin Heroux.
“[I’m] really just motivated to put some really good times down, and overall I’m really happy with tonight,” she added.
WATCH | McIntosh wins 200m IM, setting 2nd world record at Canadian trials:
Oleksiak swims to 50-metre freestyle victory at Canadian Swimming Trials, Ruck 2nd
The Toronto native becomes the first woman ever to finish under 2:06 in the event, eclipsing the previous world mark set by Katinka Hosszú of Hungary, set in 2015.
On Saturday, McIntosh broke the women’s 400m freestyle world record previously held by Australian superstar Ariarne Titmus.
“I knew going into trials I could do something special in every single event and I’m really excited for [the] 200 fly tomorrow and then 400 IM,” McIntosh said.
This latest distinction gives McIntosh the third long course world record of her burgeoning career, as she also lays claim to the women’s 400m individual medley mark — an event she’ll compete in on Wednesday at national trials.
McIntosh’s latest historic feat impressively comes one day after setting the Canadian record in the 800m freestyle final. Her time of 8:05.07 was the third-best result in the event in women’s history, but was no hindrance to her performance on Monday.
“I didn’t have the best sleep last night, but I was able to get a really good nap in [and] I’m a really good napper at this point,” McIntosh joked.
“Always learning how to recover between races is really important for me if I want to continue to be a multi-event swimmer, so that’s definitely been my focus this trials.”
Penny Oleksiak of Toronto was fastest in the women’s 50m freestyle, regaining her speed and winning the event with a time of 24.89, closely followed by Kelowna, B.C., native Taylor Ruck (24.96), who holds the national record in the event.
In breaking the 25-second barrier en route to a win, Oleksiak also recorded a personal best time.
“I think I can be faster,” Oleksiak told CBC Sports’ Devin Heroux.
“It’s what I’ve been working on this year, is my front-end speed. It’s taken a bit but I’m finally kind of getting there.”
WATCH | Oleksiak edges Ruck to take women’s 50m freestyle final:
Liendo captures 50-metre freestyle victory at Canadian Swimming Trials
One of Canada’s most prolific Olympian ever, with seven total Summer Games medals to her credit thus far, the 24-year-old Oleksiak has progressed through multiple surgeries that limited her ability to train and compete.
Monday’s result represents another step in the right direction as Oleksiak returns to form.
“It’s a step forward for sure. It’s a little step forward, but I’m hoping we can make some more leaps in the next month,” she said.
Josh Liendo of Toronto edged Ilya Kharun in the men’s 50m freestyle final in the latest exciting face-off between the two young talents.
Liendo managed to top the podium in a time of 21.88, edging Montreal’s Kharun, who touched the wall in 22.06.
“I just wanted to be good [in] the first 15 metres; pretty much all I wanted to do,” Liendo said.
“The rest of the way is just technique stuff. Holding my technique, making sure I’m staying strong,” Liendo said.
WATCH | Liendo splahes and dashes to men’s 50m free win at national trials:
Aurélie Rivard victorious in 100-metre Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria
The 22-year-old holds the national record in the men’s 50m freestyle and continues to show a penchant for the event after just missing out on bronze at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“I’m just more comfortable with my stroke in this event and obviously knowing I can compete with the best in the world,” Liendo said.
“I think going forward I’m only going to get stronger in this event, so I just want to keep improving.
Sebastian Massabie of Surrey, B.C., had a day to remember, winning the Para men’s S5 50m butterfly final in a Canadian record time of 35.84, breaking the record he set earlier Monday in preliminaries.
“It was a really great moment. I was really happy for that race, that I went down [in time],” Massabie said.
