2016 SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- December 6th – December 11th, 2016
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- WFCU Centre
- SCM (25m)
- Prelims: 9:30 AM EST/Finals: 6:30 PM EST
- Start Lists/Results
- Live Stream ($)
Despite being Canadian, Taylor Ruck had never really competed in a 25m event prior to these World Championships. Growing up in the US, she competed in yards and long course metres. But on day 1 of the 2016 SC Worlds in Windsor, she made a statement, smashing the national record in the 200 free and winning a bronze medal.
Ruck posted a time of 1:52.50, shattering the old Canadian record of 1:54.23 set by Genevieve Saumur back in 2009 during the suit era. Ruck was out in 3rd just behind eventual winner Federica Pellegrini, who passed Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu on the final 50 for the win. Pellegrini was 1:51.73 for the win, while Hosszu takes silver in 1:52.28. Hosszu was under world record pace at the 100m mark, but couldn’t hang on.
Ruck swam on Canada’s 400 free relay this morning, but was out split by her teammates and will not contest the final tonight. However, we’ll certainly see her in more relays as the week rolls on, along with the 400 free where she is also entered individually.
This swim also makes her the 9th fastest performer in history, moving past Australia’s Madeline Groves, Hungary’s Evelyn Verraszto and USA’s Missy Franklin, among others.
This is her first major senior international individual medal. She had a six medal haul at the 2015 World Junior Championships. She also collected a pair of bronze medals at the Olympics in Rio on the 400 and 800 free relays.
Ruck’s performance is a good start for Canada, as they look to perform on home soil just as they did at the 2015 Pan Am Games.
Is this a world junior reorcd too?
After making under 1:55 split in Rio I would expect to see Oleksiak competing at 200 free at this meet. Was Rio for real and she will challenge Ledecky in Budapest? I don’t see who else can do it.
Good and promising result for Leah Smith. With the departure of Maya DiRado and some doubts about possible form of Allison Schmitt the USA team needs another reliable under 1:56 swimmer to win gold at WC next summer. I hope Leah will be able to make it.
I think Oleksiak is focusing on all the relays at this meet, hence only one individual event.
We’re so proud of you Taylor! Congrats to Taylor, her Team Canada coaches & Scottsdale Aquatuc Club coaches!
Awesome job Taylor(Truck)!