Canadian Olympic Trials, Day Three Finals: Kylie Masse Blasts Sub-58 Clocking in 100 Backstroke

Kylie Masse of Canada compets in the 50m Backstroke Women semifinal during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 26rd, 2023. Kylie Masse placed 4th.

Canadian Olympic Trials, Day Three Finals: Kylie Masse Blasts Sub-58 Clocking in 100 Backstroke

The first two days of the Canadian Olympic Trials were highlighted by Summer McIntosh, who earned qualification for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris with victories in the 400 freestyle and 200 freestyle. McIntosh was idle on the third evening of action, but Kylie Masse came through with a sensational performance en route to victory in the 100 backstroke.

Here is a look at what unfolded on Night Three in Toronto.

Men’s 200 Freestyle

With Josh Liendo and Finlay Knox scratching out of the final to focus on their primary events later in the week, Alexander Axon surged to victory in the 200 freestyle. Axon trailed Patrick Hussey for the majority of the race before edging ahead over the last lap to prevail in 1:47.56. Hussey was next to the wall in 1:47.78, followed by Lorne Wigginton (1:47.93).

None of the finishers were within a second of the Olympic-qualifying time, which sits at 1:46.26.

Women’s 100 Backstroke

Following a 58-low effort during the morning prelims, Kylie Masse was even sharper during the evening session, as she cracked the 58-second barrier to affirm her status as a medal contender come the Olympic Games in Paris. Masse registered a winning time of 57.94, splitting 27.97 for the opening length and 29.97 for homecoming lap.

Masse has medaled in the 100 backstroke at the past two Olympics, winning bronze in the event at the 2016 Games and earning the silver medal at the Tokyo Games. At Trials, she led three women under the minute barrier, with Ingrid Wilm also qualifying for the Olympics on the strength of a 59.31 outing. Taylor Ruck was the third-place finisher in 59.78.

By dipping into the 57-second range, Masse joins Australian Kaylee McKeown and American Regan Smith as the leading contenders for the podium in the French capital later this summer.

Men’s 200 Breaststroke

Although no Canadians met the Olympic-qualifying standard, Oliver Dawson brought hope for the future as he covered the 200 breaststroke in 2:12.42, good for a Canadian age-group record. Born in 2008, Dawns finished ahead of Brayden Taivassalo, who went 2:12.83. Dawson made his move on the field over the back half of the race, as he erased a deficit of more than one second to Taivassalo during the last lap.

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John Watt

18 days ago

Canada Pioneer trailblazer 5 time world record holder “Mighty Mouse” Elaine Tanner First Canadian Women to ever win an Olympic swimming Medal actually won 3 another first ever for Canada No mention in Canadian media even her WR in Back Butterfly and IM and relays no mention on charts? FINA once WR’s went from Yds to Meters early 1970s they stopped recording them . Pioneer trailblazer like Elaine should not be forgotten or erased from swimming history .especially as she was the first ever and the huge success now in Canada almost 60 yrs later I find this very disrespectful almost shameful . Please mention her or do a small write up to honor her contribution she was only 15 setting world records with many Canadian Firsts ever in History in a short brief time in swimming she sure made a big splash. I am Elaine’s husband John Watt