DOHA, Qatar — Canadian Taylor Ruck qualified for the women's 50-metre free final Saturday at the world aquatics championships.
Ruck, of Kelowna, B.C., posted a time of 24.72 seconds in her semifinal swim for eighth Saturday. But the 23-year-old still qualified for the final, which will be held Sunday, as Sweden’s Sarah Sjoestroem was fastest at 23.90.
Later, Ruck, a two-time Olympian, helped Canada's mixed 4x100 freestyle relay team finish fourth. The team of Ruck, Finlay Knox, Javier Acevedo and Rebecca Smith posted a time of three minutes 23.79 seconds.
China was first in 3:21.18, followed by Australia (3:21.78) and the United States (3:22.28).
“That was a lot of fun, I love doing relays and doing it mixed is even more fun," said Ruck, who moved Canada into fourth. "I'm trying to savour each relay with my teammates."
Ruck said she's also looking forward to competing Sunday.
"I'm super pumped," she said. "It's my only individual event so I just want to make Canada proud and rep the Maple Leaf as best I can.
"Just go out and have fun, I feel like that’s when you do best."
Canada has earned six medals so far at the competition (one gold, one silver, four bronze) which concludes Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2024.
The Canadian Press
