World Cup Toronto – Day Three Prelims: Gretchen Walsh, Kate Douglass Preparing for Night Showdown
After nearly three weeks of sensational racing in North America, the 2025 edition of the World Aquatics World Cup will conclude on Saturday night in Toronto. In addition to the meet featuring the final 11 races of the series, overall champions will be crowned. While Hungarian Hubert Kos is in command in the men’s standings, Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass are locked in a tight battle for the women’s crown.
The last session of prelims will allow Walsh and Douglass to position themselves for the evening finals, with Walsh slated to contest the 100 butterfly and Douglass scheduled for the 100 freestyle. Both women are the world-record holders in their respective events, with Douglass setting her mark at last week’s World Cup stop in Westmont (Ill.).
Here is an event-by-event recap of the Day Three prelims:
Men’s 400 Individual Medley (Slowest Heats)
Japan’s Yumeki Kojima managed the top time of the morning, behind an effort of 4:11.33. Action will intensify at night when Shane Casas and Carson Foster occupy the middle lanes in the timed final, each seeded in 3:57-mid territory. Foster won the event at the Carmel stop of the World Cup tour while Casas emerged victorious last week in Westmont.
Women’s 100 Butterfly
World-record holder Gretchen Walsh blazed through the prelims in 53.83, a time only she has bettered. En route to the sixth-fastest time in history, the American easily secured the top seed for the final. She was followed as the No. 2 qualifier by Australian Alexandria Perkins, who touched the wall in 56.11, with Canada’s Mary-Sophie Harvey going 56.43 for the third seed. Perkins set an Aussie record in the 50 fly on Friday night.
Â
