| Canadian synchro pair fourth in technical duet at FINA World Aquatic Championships |
 SHANGHAI – Marie-Pierre Boudreau-Gagnon of Rivière-du-Loup, Que., and Élise Marcotte of l’Ancienne-Lorette, Que., finished fourth in the technical duet final on Monday in synchronized swimming action at the FINA World Aquatic Championships.Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina of Russia won the gold medal with 98.200 points, Xuechen Huang and Ou Liu of China took the silver at 96.500 and Ona Carbonell of Spain and Andrea Fuentes of Spain were third at 95.400. It was a second gold for Ischenko who won the technical solo event on Sunday. Boudreau-Gagnon and Marcotte, fourth after the prelims on Monday, totalled 94.100. ‘’Our goal was to swim better today and we achieved that,’’ said Marcotte. ‘’Fourth place is a little disappointing but we can only control what we can.’’ Boudreau-Gagnon says she and her partner are not discouraged with the result. ‘’We are going to keep fighting until we get our place,’’ she said. ‘’Our swims have been solid and we are showing we are a major medal threat here. We still have hope that we can leave here with a medal in our free routine.’’ In the team technical preliminaries, Russia stands first at 97.700, China is second at 96.000 and Spain third at 95.700. Canada follows in fourth at 94.00. Swimming for Canada were Boudreau-Gagnon, Marcotte, Jo-Annie Fortin of Montreal, Chloé Isaac of Brossard, Que., Stéphanie Leclair and Karine Thomas, both of Gatineau, Que., Tracy Little of Pointe-Claire, Que., and Valérie Welsh of St-Nicholas, Que. ‘’It was a good swim,’’ said Marcotte. ‘’We need to make some adjustments for the final. We’re disappointed with fourth right now and we want to get on the podium.’’ Competition continues Tuesday with the team technical final and the prelims in the free duet and free team combination. 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 partners: Epiderma Program partners: Sport Canada, Own The Podium, B2ten, the Centre national multisport-Montréal Official suppliers: Speedo, Knox Gelatine, AdUp, MKI Travel, National Car Rental Official hotel: Hilton Hotels Canada 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. 2011 FINA World Aquatic Championships section Athletes bios, media guide, a link to high resolution pictures and full results are availables through the special section of the 2011 FINA World Aquatic Championships on our Website: http://www.synchro.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=156&Itemid=80&lang=english. Media Conference Call Synchronized swimming athletes of the day will be available after every day of competition in a media conference call also including athletes from diving, swimming and water-polo. North American Toll-Free Dial number is: 1-866-250-5144. HD Video Rights free HD Video newsreels from Shanghai including Flash Interviews with top performing athletes as well as B-Roll are also availables to media outlets free of charge via www.sendtonews.com. We strongly recommend signing up (free of charge) for the service prior to the start of the World Championships. 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 Facebook: Synchro Canada Twitter : www.twitter.com/synchrocanada |
