US swimmers dominate Pan Pacific relays as Australia claims individual golds
Day 3 of the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships saw the United States women set an American record in the 4x100m freestyle relay, while Australian swimmers Lani Pallister and Sam Short secured victories in the 400m freestyle events.
The United States women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team concluded Day 3 of the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships in Toronto with a new American record, clocking 3:29.32 to claim gold. The victory was anchored by Simone Manuel, who held off the Australian challenge, while Kate Douglass led off with a split of 51.69, a time just one-hundredth of a second off the world record.
Australia secured the silver medal in 3:31.11, with Canada taking bronze in 3:36.44. The American squad, which included Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske, delivered a dominant performance that marked the fastest 4x100 freestyle relay time in US history.
In the men’s event, the United States also took gold, setting a new championship record of 3:09.01. This time placed them within a second of the 2008 Beijing Olympics world record. Australia finished second in 3:09.57, and Japan claimed third with a time of 3:13.53.
While the Americans swept the relay titles, Australian swimmers achieved significant success in individual events. Lani Pallister won the women’s 400m freestyle in 3:58.42, defeating American Katie Ledecky, who finished second in 4:00.15. Pallister’s victory sets up a decisive race in the 800m freestyle, where the two athletes will aim to determine the series winner.
Sam Short won the men’s 400m freestyle with a new championship and US Open record time of 3:40.52. He finished just over half a second behind the world record held by Lukas Märtens. China’s Zhang Zhanshuo took second place in 3:42.42, with American Aaron Shackell finishing third in 3:43.4.
