Synchro Canada will field a 13-member national team for the German Open March 5-7 in Bonn, Germany.  The competition is the opening event for the 2010 season.

After a successful season last year, Synchro Canada has high hopes for this year.  Key events include the FINA World Junior Championships (August 11-15 in the U.S.), the FINA World Cup (September 16-20 in China), the Commonwealth Games (October 10-14 in India) and the FINA World Trophy (December 9-12 in Russia).

Build on 2009 momentum
These high aspirations are based on the national team’s return to the world elite last year highlighted by a double bronze medal performance at the 2009 FINA World Aquatic Championships in Italy.  They were Canada’s first medals in synchronized swimming at the aquatic worlds since 2001.  As well Canada won the overall gold at the 2009 FINA World Trophy, a first for Canada in the event’s four year history.

"The reorganisation of the national team which started in 2008 is already starting to have an impact," said Canadian national team coach Denise Sauvé. "After seeing Canadian synchronized swimming on the podium at the world aquatic championships and the 2009 FINA World Trophy, we are starting this season with a lot of enthusiasm and expectations."

"Our long term objective is to improve the Canadian team performances at the 2011 FINA World Aquatic Championships and especially at the 2012 Olympic Games", Sauvé continued.  "That process continues this year including this weekend at the German Open."

At the 2009 FINA World Aquatic Championships, Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon won the bronze medal in the technical solo event and Canada was also third in the combined event.

At the 2009 FINA World Trophy, held in Montreal, Canada was first in the highlight team, thematic duet and thematic team events.  It also scored its first perfect 10 mark since 1997.  Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon climbed up to second in the world rankings behind the world solo champion while Canada maintained its third place ranking in the free combo event bettering by two points its score from the 2009 FINA World Aquatic Championships.

Canadian synchronized swimming team for the 2010 German Open
BEAVER-NICOL, Cassidy (Westwold, B.C.)
Events: team technical, team free and combo free
BÉLANGER, Geneviève (Laval, QC)
Events: team technical, team free and combo free
BOWNESS, Camille (Montréal, QC)
Events: team technical, team free and combo free
CARDINAL, Gabrielle (Saint-Lambert, QC)
Event: free duet   
FRIESEN, Claire (Calgary, AB)
Events: team technical, team free and combo free
GILL, Sandy (Coquitlam, B.C.)
Events: team technical, team free and combo free
HOULE, Audrey (Montréal, QC)
Events: team technical, team free and combo free
KOPCIK, Emilia (Surrey, B.C.)
Events: solo free et duet free
MIKELBERG, Lisa (Montréal, QC)
Events: team technical, team free and combo free
MORIN, Marie-Lou (Montréal, QC)
Events: team technical, team free and combo free
POWELL, Catherine (Montréal, QC)
Events: team technical (substitute), team free and combo free
RONDEAU, Marie (Québec, QC)
Events: team technical (substitute), team free (substitute) and combo free
VÉZINA, Anne-Marie (L’Ancienne-Lorette, QC)
Events: team technical, team free (substitute) and combo free (substitute)

Coaches Kasia Kulesza (Laval, QC) and Julie Sauvé (Laval, QC) will accompany the athletes.

Additional event information and complete bios are available on-line at Synchro Canada’s website www.synchro.ca .

About Synchro Canada
Synchro Canada is the national organization that governs synchronized swimming in Canada and that represents more than 130 clubs and 6400 members all across Canada. A member of FINA, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, Synchro Canada promotes the quest for excellence through the development of athletes and synchronized swimming ambassadors at all levels Synchro Canada would like to thank its sponsors: Speedo, Sport Canada, Adup Display and MKI Travel. For more information, check out Synchro Canada’s website at www.synchro.ca. 

For information:
Patrick Godbout
Synchro Canada
Communications Manager
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Cell.: (514) 213-9897
Website : www.synchro.ca