This week’s ZUMO Performance of the Week goes to Canadian Kylie Masse, who had two near world record performances in the 100 back last week at the 2019 Canadian Swimming Trials.
Masse started off the Canadian Trials, which served as the country’s World Championships qualifier, by nearly breaking the world record in prelims of the 100 back. In the very first event of the meet Masse touched the wall in 58.19, just .19 off of Kathleen Baker’s world record and .09 off of Masse’s national record of 58.10.
The 23-year-old Canadian improved that time in finals, touching in 58.16 to drop .03 and inch just a bit closer to both records. Both swims were remarkably similar, with Masse taking the race out in 28.2 and bringing it back in 29.9 on both swims. That is about three-tenths of a second faster than when she set her national record in 2017, indicating she may be trying to match Baker’s strategy of going out fast. Baker was 27.90 to the feet last summer when set the world record
Prelims 100 Back: 28.21/29.98 (58.19)
Finals 100 Back: 29.20/29.96 (58.16)
While both of Masse’s backstrokes were impressive last week (she also won the 200 back in the #1 time in the world that was also a new national record), her 100 back gets the nod this week because of how deep this event is on the international stage right now.
Just behind her in the national rankings in her teammate Taylor Ruck, who blasted a best time of her own to grab silver and land at #2 for 2019 with her 58.55. With the event getting deeper and deeper internationally, the 100 back is setting up to be one of the can’t miss races of this summer.
Congratulations to Kylie Masse on earning ZUMO’s Performance of the Week!
Can GB defeat the USA in the men’s4x100medley relay at the World Champs?A mid 53s backstroker would do it for us. Chris Walker-Hebborn swam 52.9 in 2014, but has lost his way since . With Adam Peaty,James Guy and Duncan Scott, could we do it?American opinions please.The 4×200 for men looks good as well. With medley swimmer Max Litchfield likely to come in ,GB could win this for the third successive World Champs.Again,US opinions please.