Portugal Colonial - McIntosh impresses in 800m free win at Canada trials

A day after obliterating the 400m freestyle world record, McIntosh touched in 8min 5.07sec in Sunday's 800m, putting her just outside US great Ledecky's world best of 8:04.12 set only last month.

"Going into tonight, I really wanted to see how close I could get to that world record," the three-time Olympic gold medallist said after her win at the trials in Victoria, British Columbia.

"But overall, pretty happy with my race and my splits. I think I was a little bit in no man's land. So I'm happy excited for just moving forward and seeing how I can be pushed when I get some close quarter racing."

McIntosh won gold in the 200m butterfly, 200m medley and 400m medley at the Paris Olympics and has indicated she'll chase five titles at the World Championships in Singapore next month.

On Saturday, she shattered the 400m free world record with a time of 3:54.18, slicing more than a second of the record set in 2023 by Australian Ariarne Titmus, who is taking the 2025 season off.

The blistering form of McIntosh and Ledecky sets the stage for a titantic duel at the world championships and the Canadian admitted she was relishing the prospect.

"Any time I get to race Katie, it's an honor," McIntosh said on Sunday. "I always have to bring my best to be able to challenge her.

"So I'm really excited for our match-ups at the worlds. This is my starting point now and I just try to keep pushing forward."

F.Ferraz--PC