Summer McIntosh, one of the most diverse and dominant talents in the world of swimming today, has said that she now has her eyes set on the Canadian Trials and Pan Pacs, both of which are at least two months away, with plenty of training on the horizon in the meantime.
McIntosh is coming off two wins at the Ft Lauderdale Open, including a thriller with her American rival Katie Ledecky in the 400 free, which came down to the closing strokes, as McIntosh reaffirmed her status as the fastest performer in the world in the event. But from here on out, her focus lies in the Canadian Trials in July and Pan Pacs in August.
“It’s a long summer, Pan Pacs isn’t until mid-August, so we’ve got a lot more training blocks until then,” McIntosh said in an interview with World Aquatics. “We’re going back up to the OTC in a couple weeks, so that’ll be lots of hard training and lots of fun, so just in deep training and going to continue to be in that until August.”
McIntosh detailed her 200 free race in Florida, in which she won, touching in 1:54.36, more than two seconds faster than the rest of the championship final field, but seemed, in a way, unsatisfied with her performance.
“I was a bit disappointed with my time… I love racing in this pool, it’s a great vibe, but I don’t know, I just thought I would be a bit stronger coming off Westmont, going at 1:53.8, I was hoping to be around that again.”
McIntosh’s 1:53.80 from Westmont still ranks her as the 2nd-fastest performer in the world this season, only behind Australian Mollie O’Callaghan in 1:53.52.
Her coach, Bob Bowman, had the opposite feeling about her 200 free, seeming rather excited about the performance as a good launching pad for the upcoming training months.
“He was thrilled with the time and the race, we’re just kind of focusing on my turns more so, but of course I said I wasn’t as happy with it, but we are in deep training right now, so that’s something to take into account of course,” McIntosh said. “But, 200 freestyle is an event that I’m reintroducing to my lineup, so it’s something that’s going to be a little bit of a work in progress for sure.”
Her 400 free with Ledecky came down to the final strokes, as the two titans were breathing right with one another on the closing 50 meters, with the Canadian narrowly edging out Ledecky at the final touch, winning 3:58.91 to Ledecky’s. 3:59.02.
“It was a great race, and it’s always good getting those close-quarter racing reps in, but again, my time wasn’t where I wanted it to be. I felt pretty strong, and after the race I wasn’t as labored as I hoped, I felt like I could have kept going, sort of thing, so I waited too long to really add in my legs and things like that.”
She mentioned her excitement for the Canadian Trials this summer, a meet she has historically dominated and where she has set all-time world records, posting career bests in the 400 free (3:54.18), 800 free (8:05.07), 200 IM (2:05.70), and 400 IM (4:23.65). The 400 free, 200 IM, and 400 IM all stand as current World Records that McIntosh set last summer.
“I’m so excited and trials is always one of my best meets in my swim season, so I’m really excited,” McIntosh added. “I’ve never swum in this pool before, so this will be new and also be kind of coming off OTC, so it’ll be a good little bump to have heading into trials.”
Should’ve stayed with coach Fred
Can’t wait to see Summer give Mollie a run for her money in the 200 free
At the Com Games?
I keep forgetting she’s with Bowman. There’s crazy amount of talent there at the moment, holy.
This summer is not ready for Summer
Too scared of the Aussies. So she won’t swim the Com Games
Lol. Doesn’t share the little Britain colonial mindset perhaps.
An Aussie team will be at Pan Pacs, how strong is another story. I think their selection meet is in a month. If anything, only Mollie O would be favored over Summer in the 200 Free, Pallister would be a big upset in the 400 Free, better shot at 800 if they race against each other. Dekkers is 3-4 seconds slower in the 200 Fly. Only Kaylee in the 200 IM would have a shot in the medley races, but it seems she’s not swimming it and may or may not go to Pan Pacs. From what I read over yhe years, there doesn’t appear to be any animosity between Summer and Aussie swimmers. She is like everyone else, train,… Read more »
Canada has already named a smaller token team for Glasgow,with only a couple of their bigger names going. I disagree in that if their current national team mainstays aren’t going, why not name newer, less experienced swimmers that may make noise in the trials for LA28 in a couple of years. The Commonwealth Games, although diminished with the last minute switch to Scotland, it is still an high caliber international meet, with a full strength Australian and British teams, along with a few others high level swimmers. Gaining experience could really benefit the next generation of Canadian swimmers.
Peter is a troll. Best to just ignore lol
I don’t see summer doing the 200 free an pan pacs. It’s the same day as the 200 fly. And the 800 is the same day as the 200 IM
Last year she went 3:58.2 in the 400 just one month before going that insane 3:54. These times really can’t tell us anything about where she’s going to be at Trials and Pan Pacs
SO EXCITING that she will be coming off otc
Given she will be coming off training at the OTC, I predict a very special trials for her. 200 fly WR is going down
Not a chance. So far in 2026, Bub Blahman’s training has resulted in a streak of subpar showings from McIntosh. She hasn’t been within 2.5 seconds of any of her 200m times from last year, and the Pan-Pacs isn’t big enough of a meet to motivate her to find that extra level of drive to go 2:01.7. She will just barely go under 2:03 in the 200 fly this year.
I actually think she doesn’t win a single gold at Pan Pacs. I’m thinking maybe barely sneaks out a gold in the 400 IM over Katie Grimes, if she has a solid breakfast that day.
Sneaks out a gold over Katie Grimes? What are you talking about?
I believe the commenter was being a little sarcastic with his comment.
I’d hope lmao
on 2nd thought, I think Bob’s been watching the IG reels regarding McEvoy’s new style of training and has decided Summer’s going the sprinter route. all four 50s in LA and she’ll enter the 100 free but swim it 100 IM. First Olympic Champ in the 100 IM
Oh lily
Oh FP 🙂
The sarcasm doesn’t always translate online, and I’ve read enough on Swimswam the comments shouldn’t surprise me but they still do.
The Lords of rage bait assemble
How can this comment say “I like you”? She’s sure to win the 200m butterfly and the 400m IM, and most likely the 400m freestyle and the 200m IM as well.
The timings she sets will be at stake.
No one is beating McIntosh in the 200 IM with Kaylee dropping it internationally and Douglass most likely focused on the 200 breast. Even if they were there she’d still win
I fell for this for a sec
I wouldn’t trust someone who comments under “Bobthebuilderrocks”
ummm do you not remember how well she swam at winter nationals ??
given circumstances of not being able to train for a few weeks, and still ramping up her training 2.5 months later; how are you measuring this?
Let’s give her a chance. We won’t truly know the fruits of this past year til Cdn. Nationals🍁 and PanPacs.
The option is always there to return to training in France.
I know everyone will laugh at me but I continue to think she will do a 1:51 200m freestyle, and sub 8 minutes 800m free this year.
not this year. eventually maybe
I was really impressed with Summer’s 200 free last week. Just with how well she raced it. She is still getting used to bringing it back in her repertoire. I trust she’ll do amazing things this summer.👍🍁
I don’t think she’s leaving Austin tbh, at least anytime soon
You do know that she’s already been 2:02 in DECEMBER. please just stfu
Are you up to date? Katie G is washed.