World champion and world record holder Kylie Masse continues her dominance on the world stage, sweeping the backstroke events at the prestigious Einladung Invitational swimming competition in Zurich, Switzerland this weekend.

The fourth-year kinesiology student captured gold on Sunday in the 100-metre backstroke in a winning time of 58.54 seconds. This is over half a second faster than anyone has done in the world this season.

On Saturday, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist came within 0.2 seconds of her Canadian record in the 50-metre backstroke, clocking 27.84 seconds. In the 200 backstroke, Masse finished in a meet record time of 2:07.47 for a decisive victory. Margherita Panziera of Italy was second in 2:09.86 and Kata Burian of Italy third in 2:11.19.

"Kylie has stepped up her training to another level this year and is now reaping the rewards," said Varsity Blues swimming head coach Byron MacDonald. "Her improvements under strength coach Alanna Veerman are superb and it's helping her advance her career."

The Blues sent three athletes to the meet. Sophomore sensation Hannah Genich earned the bronze medal in the 200 butterfly (2:13.77) and just missed the podium in the 100-metre fly, while posting a personal best time.

Third-year engineering student Osvald Nitski was seventh in the 200 butterfly - a race that featured two Olympic medalists. 

Also of note, former Varsity Blues Scott McGillivray traveled to the Swiss meet with the current swimmers and finished fourth in the men's 100 freestyle.

"We send Blues swimmers to this meet for a few reasons,' continued MacDonald. First, they need to race people they have never seen and who are among the world's best. It offers a little adversity - they need to be tough to compete after only a couple days to adjust to the six-hour time change and overnight flight. Lastly, it's a unique opportunity for them to compete overseas!"

Next up for the Varsity Blues swimmers is the OUA championships, February 8-10, at Western University in London, Ont.

The University of Toronto is the proud host of the 2018 U SPORTS swimming championships, Feb. 22-24 at the Athletic Centre Varsity Pool. For ticket information and other details, click here.

With files from Swimming Canada