The 2026 Pan Pacific Championships continued with the Day Four prelims on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Wollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, California.
The events for the morning session include the 200 IM, 50 freestyle and 200 breaststroke before the slower heats of the men’s 1500 and women’s 800.
This is a live recap of the women’s events.
Women’s 200 IM
Alex Walsh swam a smooth race to win her heat in 2:08.57 and took the top seed heading into finals.
Summer McIntosh won her heat in 2:09.34 and will take the second seed, ahead of Australia’s Ella Ramsay (2:09.69).
Regan Smith was the other American to make the A final despite really good swims from Leah Hayes and Phoebe Bacon. Smith got to the wall in 2:10.21, ahead of Japan’s Mi Narita (2:10.63).
Hayes was sixth overall in 2:10.69 and Bacon was next at 2:10.77.
Canada’s Mary-Sophie Harvey was a declared false start as well as Torri Huske, who opted for the 50 freestyle.
Women’s 50 Freestyle
The 50 freestyle final is going to be one of the most anticipated races of the year, especially with Kate Douglass setting the world record in the morning.
There are so many stars entered and the possibilities are seemingly endless.
It started with a strong prelims.
Simone Manuel won her heat in 24.46, just ahead of Taylor Ruck and Claire Curzan with two heats to go.
In the fifth prelims heat, Kate Douglass threw down a world record of 23.49. Meg Harris went a 24.22.
Gretchen Walsh went 23.78 in the final heat to finish just behind Douglass.
That left Torri Huske, Manuel in the B final and Curzan the tough-luck out.
Women’s 200 Breaststroke
Just a few minutes after setting the world record in the 50 freestyle, Kate Douglass was back in the water for the 200 breaststroke at the Pan Pacific Championships.
It was also a double for Alex Walsh, who took the top seed in the 200 IM.
Ella Ramsay took the lead but finished behind Douglass and fourth.
Douglass 2:23.42 took the second seed behind Japan’s Katomi Kato, who got to the wall in 2:23.38. South Africa’s Kaylene Corbett took the third seed (2:23.54), ahead of Ramsay (2:23.73), Alexanne LePage (2:24.63) of Canada and Walsh (2:24.68).
