Canada's Masse finishes 1st in 100m backstroke semis to advance to final at worlds
CBC Sports | Posted: June 19, 2022 8:43 PM | Last Updated: June 19, 2022
LaSalle, Ont., native will aim for 3rd world title on Monday
Canada's Kylie Masse advanced to the 100-metre backstroke final with a victory in her semifinal heat on Sunday at the FINA world aquatics championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The LaSalle, Ont., native touched the wall with a time of 58.57 seconds.
Masse, 26, edged out Medi Eira Harris (59.61) of Great Britain, China's Wan Letian (59.63) and France's Emma Terebo (1:00.06) who also qualified for the final.
"I'm happy, it shows that my speed is there which is really nice. It didn't feel like I was trying that hard on the first 50 [metres]," Masse said post-race.
"To be able to have that easy speed, it's comforting going into tomorrow."
Masse won silver in the event at Tokyo 2020, in addition to being a two-time world champion, winning in 2019 and 2017.
The final is set to go for 12:51 p.m. ET on Monday.
In other Canadian action, Mary-Sophie Harvey finished eighth in the women's 200m individual medley final with a time of 2:12.77.
American Alex Walsh won gold with a time of 2:07.13, followed by Australia's Kaylee McKeown (2:08.57) and compatriot Leah Hayes (2:08.91).
"I can't really be mad because it was my first final at the worlds," said the 22-year-old Harvey.
"It was a step in the right direction but not the time and placing I was aiming for."
CBC Sports is the home to the FINA World Aquatics Championships, streaming live on cbcsports.ca from June 18-July 3.