Boudreau wins Canada’s first Synchro medal

July 20, 2009 - Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon impressed the world Monday and won Canada’s first medal in solo competition in 15 years.

Boudreau Gagnon won bronze in the Solo Tech finals at the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy compiling a final score of 96.000 for her rendition of an Amazon warrior.

This is the 26-year-old’s first medal at a World Championship and Canada’s first in solo since 1994.

“I’m really pleased with my performance, this is a dream come true,” said Boudreau Gagnon, of Riviere-du-Loup, QC. “This is our first medal, but not our last. I am so grateful to my coach, Julie Sauve, and am proud to be on the podium with two Olympic and World champions.”

Sauve has been working closely with Boudreau Gagnon for a number of years and is thrilled for her.

“Marie-Pier’s hard work has been rewarded and her dream has come true,” said Sauve. “I’m so proud of her performance and thrilled to see Canada back on the podium after so many years.”

Russia’s Natalia Ishchenko placed first with a score of 98.667, while Gemma Mengual of Spain was second with a score of 97.833.

Boudreau Gagnon will be back in action Tuesday as she competes in the Combo preliminaries. She will also be swimming in the Duet Free preliminaries on Thursday and competing in the Team Free event.

“Canada is on the right track,” said Boudreau Gagnon. “We’re looking to be back on the podium during these Championships as well as 2012 (Olympics) and this is the first step.”

Canada will swim fifth out of 13 in the Combo preliminaries in a fast-paced, exciting dancing in the streets themed routine.

Canada also competed in the Duet Tech preliminaries Monday and finds itself fifth as Tracy Little, Montreal, QC, and Elise Marcotte, of Ancienne Lorette, QC, posted a score of 94.333.
“We realize we have some technical details to work on prior to the final,” said Marcotte. “But we felt some good energy and the judges seemed to appreciate our choreography.”

Canada will swim tenth out of 12 in the finals Tuesday.

Canada’s Team at the 13th FINA World Championships
Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon – Solo Tech, Duet Free, Team Tech, Team Free, Combo
Camille Bowness – Team Tech, Team Free, Combo
Jo-Annie Fortin - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo
Sandy Gill – Team Free, Combo (Alternate – Team Tech)
Chloe Isaac – Solo Free, Duet Free, Team Tech, Team Free, Combo
Eve Lamoureux - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo
Stephanie Leclair - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo
Tracy Little – Duet Tech (Alternate – Team Tech, Team Free, Combo)
Elise Marcotte – Duet Tech, Team Tech, Team Free, Combo
Karine Thomas - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo
Erin Willson – Team Tech (Alternate – Team Free, Combo)
Valerie Welsh - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo

National Team Coaches
Denise Sauve
Julie Sauve
Marietta Meng-Chen
Kasia Kulesza

Team Manager – Josee Dagenais

EVENT SCHEDULE  
Saturday, 18th
Sunday, 19th Monday, 20th Tuesday, 21st
Team Tech Prelim (Canada 4th) Team Tech Final
(Canada 4th) Solo Tech Final
(Canada 3rd) Duet Tech Final
Solo Tech Prelim
(Canada 3rd) Duet Tech Prelim
(Canada 5th) Free Combo Prelim
Wednesday, 22nd Thursday, 23rd
Friday, 24th Saturday, 25th
Free Combo Final Solo Free Final Duet Free Final Team Free Final
Solo Free Prelim Duet Free Prelim Team Free Prelim 

For more information contact:
Lisa Wallace
Communications Manager, Synchro Canada
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
613-850-9533

About Synchro Canada
Synchro Canada is the national governing body for the sport of synchronized swimming in Canada.
Synchro Canada fosters the pursuit of excellence while developing
athletes, citizens and ambassadors of the sport of synchronized swimming at all levels.

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