| Canada’s top synchronized swimmers return to Charlottetown |
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It is the first national synchronized swimming competition to be held in the province since 1994. In June of that year, Synchro Canada hosted the Canadian Masters Championships. Among the athletes entered at Synchro Canada’s biggest annual event are the Grade 7 category juniors who will battle for a spot on the Canadian team for the 2010 FINA World Junior Championships August 11-15 in Indianapolis. To be eligible, they need to rank among the top-25 in the Friday morning figures event in order to participate at the selection camp which follows the open nationals. That selection camp is scheduled for May 3-4 at the CARI Complex. Following the camp, Synchro Canada will announce its 12-member 2010 National Junior Team.
National team At the opening ceremonies, set for Thursday April 29 at 3:30 p.m., the 12-member team will show its skills by interpreting the three gold medal routines from the German Open in Bonn last month. The next day, they will share their expertise and passion for the sport with youngsters from Eliot River and West Kent Elementary schools. Afterwards the athletes will jump in the pool with the children to introduce them to the sport. "Synchro Canada is pleased to return to Prince Edward Island and we hope as many people as possible can benefit from our presence," said Synchro Canada President Lisa Schott. "Whether it’s the children who will have the privilege of swimming with our national team members or the general public which will get the opportunity to see tomorrow’s Olympians up close, we hope our return to the province will be memorable." "It will be an exciting competition for spectators," added Schott. "Many athletes will try to gain a berth on the Canadian team for the FINA World Junior Championships and continue Canada’s return among the international elite following our strong performances in 2009." At the 2009 FINA World Aquatic Championships, Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon won the bronze medal in the technical solo event as did the Canadian team in the combination event. They were Canada’s first world championship medals since 2001. The Canadian team then earned its first medals ever at the 4th FINA World Trophy last year in Montreal. At that competition, Canada won gold in the team acrobatics event as well as the duet and team thematic events – earning a first perfect 10 score since 1997. Boudreau-Gagnon took silver behind the reigning world champion in the free solo routine and Canada added a bronze in the team combination event bettering its score by two points from its third place finish at the worlds. Tickets for the 2010 Canadian Open Championships are $8 a day or $20 for all four days of competition. For more information visit: www.synchro.ca.
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Ottawa, April 28, 2010 – More than 150 of Canada’s top synchronized swimmers in the Grade 6 and 7 categories will gather at the CARI Complex (550 University Avenue) in Charlottetown, P.E.I., from April 28 to May 2 at the 2010 Canadian Open Championships.
