CASTELLON, Spain – Canada is in second place after Friday’s technical program in the team event at the Spanish Open synchronized swimming competition.

Spain leads the eight-country field with 94.150 points, Canada follows at 91.800 and Brazil is third at 88.025.

The Canadian swimmers, performing to a theme called the Fury of Rock, were Cassidy Beaver-Nicol of Westwold, B.C., Geneviève Bélanger of Laval, Que., Claire Friesen of Calgary, Sandy Gill of Coquitlam, B.C., Audrey Houle of Gentilly, Que., Marie-Lou Morin of Westmount, Que., Marie Rondeau of Quebec City and Anne-Marie Vézina of L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que.

"We are very excited about our performance," said Morin. "We made some modifications to the program and they worked out really well.  Our energy level was very high and we closed the gap on Spain which is quite an accomplishment considering we are in their country."

The eight-member Spanish squad included five members from the team that won the silver medal at the 2009 FINA World Aquatic Championships while Brazil had six.  None of the Canadians at the 2010 Spanish Open were at last year’s worlds.

Competition continues Saturday for the Canadian team with the preliminary free routine and the combo final.