FORUM: Summer Storm Forecast For Singapore
Thema: Here comes Summer - & when McIntosh, Katie Ledecky, Lani Pallister et al rise for racing in Singapore, heads held high come what may, you wouldn't want to miss for all the aquatic world. Plus, Timeline, & George Hearn and standardisation make our 'History in 100' lists
When Summer McIntosh takes on five solo events at World Championships in Singapore over eight days between July 27 and August 3, the count of targets will break no records but the prospect of a pioneering high-five of podiums, better still a bullseye, in the events in the Canadian teen's sights is more real than it's ever been.
Summer's last note from Victoria:
Wow, what a week in Victoria - Thank you so much to everyone who watched, cheered, and supported during trials! To all the volunteers, officials, media, and organizers, thank you for putting on a great event built for racing fast 🏊♀️
I’m so excited to join this crazy talented Canadian team in Singapore next month 🇨🇦🤍
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The statistics of a sensational week in Victoria just about to end are worth holding your breath for as we contemplate the achievements of the 18-year-old coaches by Brent Arckey at the Sarasota Sharks in Florida at the helm of a swimming orchestra that includes the wise head and experienced hand of Vern Gambetta:
- three World records (3:54.18, 400 free; 2:05.70 200IM; 4:23.65 400IM)
- a World best (2:02.26, 200 'fly) on top of those World records (closest to Liu Zige's shiny suit 2:01.81)
- five Commonwealth and Canadian records (all aforementioned plus 8:05.07, 800 free within a second of Katie Ledecky's WR
- the first swimmer since Shane Gould in 1972 to hold the World record in both the 400m freestyle and the 200m medley, ever and simultaneously
- the first swimmer inside 3:55 in the 400 free, her previous WR having made her the first Canadian to hold the global 400 free standard
- the first swimmer inside 2:06 and 4:24 in the medleys
- the first Canadian to hold the 200IM World record
- the first swimmer in textile to break 2:03 in the 200 'fly
- the second woman ever to race inside 8:09 over 800 free
And here is how that lot, plus possible relays, will pan out on the plan in Singapore, with days 2, 3 and 4 following a first big day and preceding four days of energy management and mind on and over matter ...
