Seebohm must put Masse in her place

EMILY Seebohm and Canadian Kylie Masse have set the scene for a head-to-head showdown in the 100m backstroke tonight after both set Games records in the heats.

And while there’s a gold medal on the line, the result could also tip the balance for bragging rights as the Canadian women lead a swimming resurgence pushing their country back toward being a swimming power.

Taylor Ruck set the tone for the Canadians on the opening night of finals when she outtouched fellow 17-year-old Ariarne Titmus to claim a surprise win in the 200m freestyle.

Ruck and Masse are following in the footsteps of sprinter Penny Oleksiak, who won a surprise gold at the Rio Olympics at age 16 as Cate Campbell faded in the 100m freestyle.

Masse won the 100m backstroke at the world championships in Budapest in Hungary last year, setting a world record in the final as Seebohm finished with bronze.

The pair showed themselves to be the ones to beat in yesterday’s heats, both setting Games records as they laid down their challenge for Gold Coast gold.

Seebohm won the penultimate heat in 58.91sec but her Games record lasted only until her rival touched the wall in the following race, with Masse winning in 58.70.

“I didn’t really expect that it would stay long with Kylie right behind me,” Seebohm said. “She’s the world recordholder so I feel like she’s got a lot to play with there and it’ll definitely be a battle to get a medal.

“She’s the best in the world so if I can try and get there and just improve on my swims and focus on what I need to do then I might be in with a great shot.”

Masse said she “hadn’t put a specific number on the time” she wanted to go.

“These are heats and semifinals, so I just have to stay focused and prep myself for making it through to the final and throwing down a good performance,” she said.