Pan Pacific Championships: ‘Blazing’ Taylor Ruck Claims Three Medals on Opening Night
Taylor Ruck was amped.
In the first event of the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships, the versatile Canadian star claimed a bronze medal in the 50 butterfly.
“I try to take races one at a time. But I was ready to go again after that 50 fly. I dove into the warm-down pool afterward and I was blazing,” Ruck told Swimming World.
That blaze continued throughout the first night as Ruck became the first swimmer at Pan Pacs to claim three medals.
Ruck earned the bronze in the 50 fly, the bronze in the 100 backstroke and the bronze in the mixed medley relay, part of a strong day for Canada.
“(Three) medals. I am very grateful. I was thinking about (how well I felt in the water) after prelims. I feel like it has been a while since I have felt this way in the pool,” Ruck said.
Ruck went a 25.23 in the 50 fly, lowering her own Canadian record in the event. She finished behind Americans Gretchen Walsh (24.65) and Kate Douglass (25.06).
“Having the 50s in the Olympics now just gave me a new appreciation and perspective for them,” she said. “I am definitely focusing on the sprints now in my journey.”
That journey brought her back to a strong performance in the 100 backstroke, one of her breakout events nearly a decade ago. She picked the double on the first day instead of the 200 freestyle, where she is still the Pan Pacific Championships record-holder at 1:54.44.
Ruck led at the turn in the 100 back before touching third in 58.40, just behind Americans Katharine Berkoff (57.93) and Regan Smith (58.11).
Then it was the mixed medley relay where Ruck teamed with Ingrid Wilm, Oliver Dawson and Finlay Knox to take the bronze in 3:45.62.
Getting to be a part of Canada’s relays is something Ruck has done for the past decade, since she was a 15-year-old phenom who made the Rio Olympics.
Now, she is focused on one more Olympic Games, but her mind isn’t all about LA28.
“This year, I have just felt present in whatever I do,” Ruck said. “A lot of appreciation this year. Coming to Vancouver I have learned a lot of lessons in different ways. It is such a celebration. I feel like I am not thinking about L.A. right now. After the meet I will probably think about it more. This meet already has an L.A. vibe.”
All of the world-class racing helps, too. She is on the entry list in the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle.
“I just love racing so I am excited for the days to come and see what we can put together,” she said.
