RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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In one of the biggest shocks of the meet through three days, world record-holder Summer McIntosh missed the championship final of the women's 400 freestyle Friday morning, finishing ninth in prelims in 4:08.56.
McIntosh posted a time more than 14 seconds slower than her own world record. It's a stunning result in an event she's dominated internationally over the past year, and it continues a disappointing week in freestyle events for the Canadian superstar.
McIntosh came into the 400 after losing the 200 freestyle by 0.19 seconds to Australia's Lani Pallister on Day 1 after scratching the 200 butterfly. That result already raised eyebrows given her status as one of the most dominant swimmers in the sport. However, missing a final outright is a different level of surprise.
Summer McIntosh does not qualify for the 400m freestyle A final at the Pan Pacs. Her time of 4:08.56 is the 9th fastest of the morning heats. She was in line to finish second behind Pallister in her heat and was out-touched at the wall and finished third.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) August 14, 2026
McIntosh is never shy about racing a heavy program, and the cumulative toll of that schedule may be part of the story. She was able to win gold Thursday night in the 400 IM, making the freestyle stumbles specifically notable rather than a sign of an across-the-board slump.
McIntosh said she “takes full responsibility for my misjudgment in this morning’s heat,” via her Instagram story. Her ninth place finish puts her in the 400m freestyle B-Final.
With McIntosh out of the picture, Katie Ledecky and Pallister will settle the 400 free between themselves, a rematch of sorts after Pallister pushed Ledecky hard in the 1500 free on Wednesday.
Ledecky led all qualifiers in 4:03.48, with New Zealand's Erika Fairweather second in 4:04.50. American Kennedi Dobson was third in 4:05.10, just ahead of Pallister in fourth.
Friday Finals Preview
Gretchen Walsh will chase a sprint butterfly sweep in the 100 fly, an event which she holds the world record, after her surprise 100 freestyle loss on Day 2. In the 200 backstroke Regan Smith is looking to build on a strong championship-record swim this morning after securing silver in both the 50 and 100 backstroke.
Australia's Sam Short, fresh off his championship-record win in the 800 free on Day 1, led the men's 400 free prelims in 3:44.34. He'll try to pick up his second gold medal in the 400 freestyle from lane No. 4.
In the 50 breast, McKenzie Siroky will have a shot at winning her second Pan Pac title. However, she'll have her hands full with China's Tang Qianting, who broke Lilly King's U.S. Open record in this morning's prelims.
In the men's 50 breaststroke Van Mathias will attempt to win his second event of the championships against a tightly contested field led by South Africa's Michael Houlie.
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