| Calgary to welcome 330 synchronized swimmers for the 2011 Canadian Open Championships |
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2008 Olympians Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon and Élise Marcotte to preview world championship routines
 Ottawa, April 26, 2011 – The best synchronized swimmers in Canada in the junior, 16-18 age group and senior level are set to compete at Synchro Canada’s 2011 Canadian Open Championships scheduled for April 27 to May 1 at the Talisman Centre in Calgary (2225 Macleod Trail South). The competition is hosted by the Calgary Aquabelles and Synchro Alberta under the leadership of Synchro Canada. Athletes from all 41 clubs in Canada will compete as well as 31 officials and 62 coaches – including Olympians Valérie Hould-Marchand (1996 Olympic silver medallist in the team event), Isabelle Rampling (2008) and 2000 Olympic team coach Sheilagh Croxon. There’s an international flavour to the competition as well with athletes entered from Aruba, Sweden and Turkey. Qualifying event for 2011 national junior team Also on the line are berths on Synchro Canada’s 2011 National Junior Team scheduled to compete at the UANA Pan American Championships set for August 17-21 at the Olympic Park Sports Centre in Montreal. The top-25 in the junior figures event on Thursday April 28 advance to a second figures event on Friday as well as to a selection camp on Monday May 2. Those ranked in the top-16 then head to a week-long camp at which Synchro Canada and 2011 National Junior Team head coach Jenn Tregale (Calgary, Calgary Aquabelles) with assistant coaches Maude Pelchat (Laval, Dollard Synchro) and Johana Vasquez (Terrebonne, Montréal Synchro) will select the 12-member squad. Performance previews by national team members Also at the event, Canadian national synchronized swimming team members Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon, Élise Marcotte and coach Julie Sauvé will be in Calgary on April 29-30. Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon and Élise Marcotte will preview their solo and duet routines and share their passion and expertise with young synchronized swimmers from Alberta. Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon, Élise Marcotte and the other national senior synchronized swimming team members are currently preparing for the 2011 FINA World Aquatic Championships set for Shanghai, China July 16-31 (synchro swimming: from July16-23) and the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico October 14-30 (synchro swimming: October 18-21). The Pan Ams are also the first opportunity for the national team to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London. Schedule and results are available on-line at www.synchro.ca About Synchro Canada Synchro Canada is the national organization governing synchronized swimming in Canada. It represents 10 provincial associations, a territorial association, as well as some 150 clubs and 12,000 members across Canada. A member of FINA, the world’s governing aquatic sports organization, Synchro Canada promotes the quest for excellence by developing the athletes, citizens and ambassadors of the sport of synchronized swimming at every level. Synchro Canada would like to thank its sponsors: Official partner: Epiderma Program partners: Sport Canada, Own The Podium, B2ten, the Centre national multisport-Montréal Official suppliers: Speedo, AdUp, MKI Travel, National Car Rental Official Charity Partner: Plan Canada’s Because I am A Girl Program For further information, visit Synchro Canada’s Website at www.synchro.ca or follow Synchro Canada on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For more 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 Facebook: Synchro Canada Twitter : www.twitter.com/synchrocanada |
