What makes Summer McIntosh so fast? Look to long arms, race cars and rowboats
It’s the question the entire swimming world has been asking ever since Summer McIntosh made herself known on the world stage by qualifying for the COVID-delayed Tokyo Olympics at the age of 14. The Canadian swimmer finished fourth in the 400-meter freestyle there, but she won two gold medals a year later at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships (in the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley),…
Summer McIntosh's exceptional speed in swimming stems from a combination of factors, including her long arms, race car-like technique, and rowboat-like efficiency in the water. At 5'8" tall, she is not the tallest swimmer, but her wingspan of 180cm gives her a significant advantage, similar to legendary swimmer Michael Phelps who had an impressive wingspan of 201cm despite being 193cm tall.
The key to her power lies in her effective "catch" technique, where her hand and forearm create a strong grip on the water, pushing it backwards efficiently. Her high elbow position and fingers pointed downward maximize the surface area she can use for propulsion. This technique, compared to a race car with thick tires, allows her to generate immense traction in the water.
Like a well-designed race car, McIntosh's body position in the pool contributes to her efficiency, or lack of drag. She keeps her hips high on the water surface, particularly in butterfly and freestyle, ensuring her legs never sink. Her kick is also engaged high in the water, facilitated by her strong posterior chain. Her head position remains steady on the surface in freestyle, and her breathing is quick and low during butterfly.
British former world champion swimmer Mark Foster describes McIntosh as "that good," capable of dominating a race for extended periods or excelling across multiple events. Her ability to consistently perform at a high level, especially at the Pan Pacific Championships, where she won the 400m IM in an event-record time of 4:28.01, is a testament to her remarkable talent and hard work.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
