U of T's Kylie Masse vying for world record in 100-metre backstroke this week

U of T News

U of T's Kylie Masse vying for world record in 100-metre backstroke this week

2016 Olympian bronze medallist Kylie Masse ranked number one in the world in two events earlier this year (photo by Martin Bazyl)

Published: July 21, 2017

University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's swimming star Kylie Masse will be trying for a world record in the 100-metre backstroke later this week in Hungary, according to CBC News.

The story quotes U of T head coach Byron MacDonald, who is a CBC Sports swimming analyst, saying that the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist won the world short-course silver in December in her hometown and gold in the 50, 100 and 200 three months ago at the Canadian trials. Her world-leading record in the 100 is only .09 seconds shy of the record held by Gemma Spofforth of the U.K.

The world championships in Budapest run Sunday through July 30.

“We sat down in September after Rio and talked about going for the world record. It's a goal,” said MacDonald. “She works hard in training, recovers quickly from training and racing, and has very little fear of racing. In Kylie's words, 'a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer.'”