Windsor Essex Swim Team and UofT’s Kylie Masse took down the Canadian record of 59.17 that she swam this morning in the 100m backstroke in order to win the race in 59.06 and punch in her ticket to Rio.
Masse was out first in 28.83 to push out ahead of the field and fought Dominque Bouchard coming home, but with a 30.23 final split and a huge charge in the last 20-meters, Masse clocked in her new Canadian record to win gold.
The time ranks Masse second in the world this year behind only Australia’s Emily Seebohm.
2015-2016 LCM Women 100 BACK
SEEBOHM
58.34
| 2 | Katinka HOSSZU | HUN | 58.45 | 08/08 |
| 3 | Mie NIELSEN | DEN | 58.73 | 05/19 |
| 4 | Kathleen BAKER | USA | 58.75 | 08/08 |
| 5 | Kylie MASSE | CAN | 58.76 | 08/08 |
Dominique Bouchard finished second to Masse, but after the final 20-meters was a sizable amount behind her, touching in at 59.96.
Masse has been on the verge of breaking this record ever since the 2016 CIS Championships in February where she went under one-minute in order to win gold.
Previously this season Masse broke the short course 50m backstroke Canadian record in a back-and-forth exchange with teammate Paige Miller, before taking doing the long course mark at the CIS Championships for another win.
Masse’s now established herself as the top backstroker in Canada, a position that will likely put her on the 4x100m medley relay that has the potential to medal in Rio.
