| Synchro Canada’s national senior team launches its pre-Olympic season |
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The Canadian team members are : Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon (Rivière-du-Loup, QC), Camille Bowness (Beaconsfield, QC), Jo-Annie Fortin (Montreal, QC), Chloé Isaac (Brossard, QC), Emilia Kopcik (Surrey, B.C.), Ève Lamoureux (Montreal, QC), Stéphanie Leclair (Gatineau, QC), Tracy Little (Pointe-Claire, QC), Élise Marcotte (L'Ancienne-Lorette, QC), Karine Thomas (Gatineau, QC), Valérie Welsh (Saint-Nicholas, QC) and Erin Willson (Toronto, ON). Julie Sauvé and Anastassia Goutseva are the team coaches and Dot Padget and Laura Ealing are also headed overseas as judges. Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon is scheduled to compete in the solo and duet with new partner Elise Marcotte. Marcotte was selected after closed-door trials. Canada is also set to compete in the team free and team technical events.
2011 goal: a berth for the 2012 Olympics The Canadians also compete in June at the Brazil Open then head for to Shanghai for the 2011 FINA World Aquatic Championships set for July 16-31 (synchro events are July 16-23). Then it is the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, October 14-30 (synchro events are October 18-21). The Pan Ams are Canada’s first opportunity to qualify for the Olympics in the duet and team events. Canada will need to win gold to gain the berth in those events. ‘’Our goal is to qualify directly for the 2012 Olympic Games at the Pan Am Games,’’ said senior national team coach Julie Sauvé. ‘’That way we’ll have more time to fine-tune our team preparations for London and reach a level than can help us attain that difficult goal of stepping on the Olympic podium in 2012.’’
Another show of confidence That substantial support will provide new preparation opportunities for the athletes towards the 2012 London Games including additional training camps and new competitive opportunities. ‘’The recent sponsorship from Epiderma is another show of confidence towards our national program,’’ said Synchro Canada’s CEO Catherine Gosselin-Després. ‘’It was almost five months ago that B2ten became a national team partner by adding its expertise to that of specialists at the national sports centre in Montreal who have worked with us for many years.” ‘’The support and presence of these new partners are very important in our preparation for the 2012 Olympics,’’ she said. ‘’With their support we can now look at new possibilities to help our national team proudly represent our country in London. Synchro Canada feels its national team has better winning conditions to fulfill its 2011 goal to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games at the Pan Am Games.’’ Dominick Gauthier of B2ten says he is very impressed with Canada’s national senior synchronized swimming team. ‘’Our involvement so far has allowed me to see that synchronized swimmers are often underrated athletes. I feel synchronized swimming is one of the most complete sports which combines ALL the elements of sport: physical, acrobatic and artistic. I encourage all Canadians to rediscover this sport as our team tries to get back on the Olympic podium.’’
About Synchro Canada
Official partner: Epiderma For further information, visit Synchro Canada’s Website at www.synchro.ca or follow Synchro Canada on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
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Ottawa, March 3, 2011 – Synchro Canada’s national senior team launches its 2011 season at the German Open March 11-13 in Bonn.
