Team Aquatic Supplies's Blog

MONTREAL, QC (Tuesday, February 28, 2012) – With less than a month to the London 2012 selection trials in Montreal, Swimming Canada is pleased to announce a historical partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) bringing the first ever Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials to life.

“We are extremely excited to announce this new partnership,” said Pierre Lafontaine, CEO and National Coach for Swimming Canada.

“Being able to integrate the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic brands within our marquee event of the quadrennial will provide our organization with a greater platform to promote the values of our sport, athletes and coaches.”

“As part of our new Vision 2020 strategic plan, Swimming Canada aims to be a world leading swimming nation. Having the COC and CPC partner with us for our key domestic competition is a step forward to achieving this mandate,” added Lafontaine.

From March 27th to April 1st 2012, Canada’s elite swimmers will race for a berth on Canada’s London Olympic & Paralympic Teams.

“One of the primary goals for the COC is to cast the spotlight on our great athletes and our partners in the sport community,” said Chris Overholt, COC Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General. “The COC is excited to partner with Swimming Canada on the 2012 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials to help grow the profile of the sport of swimming in this country and to create this new model for how Canadian Olympic athletes are unveiled to their fans.

“High-profile events such as these Trials are important to showcasing Paralympic sport and Canada’s elite-level swimmers with a disability,” said Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “Canada has a strong track record in Paralympic swimming and we are confident this marquee event will be a success in identifying the top talent aiming towards London – both established veterans and new medal contenders – while also generating excitement about the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”

RBC joins forces with Swimming Canada as title sponsor the trials

Valued Olympic and Paralympic Partner, RBC, has joined forces with Swimming Canada to present these trials. As the first corporate supporter of the Olympic movement in Canada, RBC stepped forward and played a significant role in helping to make this marquee event – the Olympic and Paralympic swimming trials – happen.

“We are very grateful in welcoming RBC as part of our team,” added Lafontaine. “RBC shares our values of building great heroes and great Canadians thru sport and we are excited to build a partnership that will support our athletes’ quest for podium performances in London and beyond.”

“Investing in our athletes is an investment in Canada, and we are proud to partner with Swimming Canada to make a positive difference in amateur sport,” said Micheline Martin, RBC Regional President, Quebec. “Our support for Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic teams is focused on building a strong foundation for our athletes to succeed on the world stage, and we look forward to the trials and seeing our athletes compete this summer at the 2012 London Games.”

Breakthrough Broadcast Coverage for the 2012 Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials

Swimming Canada is excited to announce that the 2012 Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials will be aired every night on Sportsnet across the country. In addition, Société Radio Canada (SRC) will air highlights of the event on its national network. Full schedule will be published shortly on the respective network’s websites.

About the Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials presented by RBC

The Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials, presented by RBC, is a six-day event packed with excitement and drama, taking place at the 1976 Olympic Pool in Montreal, QC. Montreal was the host of previous Swimming trials, yet 2012 will go down in Canadian sports history as the first ever selection trials presented in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC).

Over 700 swimmers from every corner of the country will come together to select Canada’s Olympic & Paralympic Swim teams for London 2012. As the sole selection event for London, the racing will be fierce and the drama intense.

Sarah Fournier of Quebec City and Owen Daly of St. John, N.L., were double winners on Friday at the Speedo Eastern Nationals swimming competition being held this week at the Centre Sportif.

Fournier produced personal best times in her victories in the 50 freestyle clocking 26.55 and 100 backstroke finishing in 1:04.23 in the 15 and under age group. Other winners in the age group were Cassidy Richards of Fredericton in the 50 butterfly, Justine Rhéaume of Montreal in the 200 breaststroke and Samantha Stratford of Guelph, Ont., in the 400 IM

‘’I was most pleased with my 100 backstroke victory,’’ said Fournier, 15. It’s the event I’ve been working hardest at. In the 50 free, the key was having a very good start.’’

Daly competed in the men’s 16 and under category and took the 50 butterfly in 25.25 and 50 freestyle in 24.17. Also with gold were Kyle Haas of Georgetown, Ont., in the 100 backstroke, Antoine Bujold of Trois-Rivieres, Que., in the 200 breaststroke and Tristan Cote of Etobicoke, Ont., in the 400 IM.

‘’It was my best time while in training,’’ said Bujold. ‘’I was surprised because I wasn’t feeling all that great. This is my last year in this age group and I want to have a really good season.’’

In men’s 17 and over, winners were two-time Olympian Mike Brown of Calgary in the 200 breaststroke, Ray Betuzzi of Calgary in 50 butterfly, Octavian Petre of Montreal in the 50 freestyle, Pascal Wollach of Calgary in the 100 backstroke and Jeffrey Swanston of Newmarket, Ont., in the 400 IM.

In the women’s 16 and over, Katerine Savard of Quebec City grazed her Canadian record clocking 26.55 in the 50 fly. Other winners were Jennifer Beckberger of Whitby, Ont., in the 50 freestyle, Brittany MacLean of Etobicoke, Ont., in the 100 backstroke, Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson, Nepean, Ont., in the 200 breaststroke and Karyn Jewell of Orleans, Ont., in the 400 IM.

‘’I’m pretty happy to get a personal best time,’’ said Seltenreich-Hodgson about her victory. ‘’I took it out a lot smoother than usual and tried not too rush it. It augurs well for the 200 IM which is my best event.’’

For many of the swimmers here, this week’s competition is also a tune up for the Olympic trials set for March 27 to April 1 in Montreal.

Competition continues throught to Sunday with the preliminary sessions at 9am and finals at 6pm local.

Full results on-line at: https://swimming.ca/liveresults/12speedoeastern/

About the Speedo Eastern Canadian Championships

The Speedo Eastern Championships brings together a great mix of Canada’s senior, youth and junior swimmers. This regional competition is held annually in February in various cities throughout eastern Canada and is held on the same weekend as the Speedo Western Championships. This year, the competition will be hosted at the Gatineau Sports , Gatineau, Qc, February 16th -19. This short course prelims, long course finals competition serves as an excellent racing and development opportunity for Youth and Junior competitors.

Friday’s medallists at the Speedo Eastern Canadian swimming championships in Gatineau, Que.

MEN

16 and under

50 butterfly: 1. Owen Daly, St. John’s, N.L, 25.25; 2. Samuel Wang, Sherbrooke, Que., 25.86; 3. Mirando Jarry, Montreal, 25.92.

50 freestyle: 1. Owen Daly, St. John’s, N.L., 24.17; 2. Gael Chaubet, Longueuil, Que., 24.37; 3. Mirando Jarry, Montreal, 24.50.

100 backstroke: 1. Kyle Haas, Georgetown, Ont., 57.87; 2. Daniel Kuiack, Barrie, Ont., 58.89; 3. Brandon Bronson, Oshawa, Ont., 59.29.

200 breaststroke: 1. Antoine Bujold, Trois-Rivieres, Que., 2 :18.99; 2. James Guest, Pointe-Claire, Que., 2 :23.22; 3. Josiah Butt, Etobicoke, Ont., 2:23.28.

400 IM: 1. Tristan Cote, Etobicoke, Ont., 4:34.20; 2. Teddy Kalp, North York, Ont., 4:38.07; 3. Evan White, Oakville, Ont., 4:38.32.

17 and over

50 butterfly: 1. Ray Betuzzi, Calgary, 25.24; 2. Michael Karnakov, Newmarket, Ont., 25.59; 3. Bill Cocks, Peterborough, Ont., 25.83.

50 freestyle: 1. Octavian Petre, Montreal, 23.83; 2. Dominique Massie-Martel, Pointe-Claire, Que., 23.95; 3. Bill Cocks, Peterborough, Ont., 24.12.

100 backstroke: 1. Pascal Wollach, Calgary, 56.68; 2. Jeffrey Swanston, Newmarket, Ont., 56.85; 3. Matthew Kwatyra, London, Ont., 58.21.

200 breststroke: 1. Mike Brown, Calgary, 2:17.07; 2. Hughes Patry, Trois-Rivieres, Que., 2 :22.42; 3. Jonathan Naisby, Sherbrooke, Que., 2 :23.46.

400 IM : 1. Jeffrey Swanston, Newmarket, Ont., 4:30.96; 2. Aly Abdel-Khalik, Etobicoke, Ont., 4:34.11; 3. Jerome Boucher, Levis, Que., 4:35.75.

WOMEN

15 and under

50 butterfly: 1. Cassidy Richards, Fredericton, 28.50; 2. Sadie Fazekas, Windsor, Ont., 28.89; 3. Kimberly Phan, Richmond Hill, Ont., 28.93.

50 freestyle: 1. Sarah Fournier, Quebec City, 26.55; 2. Kimberly Phan, Richmond Hill, Ont., 27.16; 3. Isabelle Morris, Etobicoke, Ont., 27.57.

100 backstroke: 1. Sarah Fournier, Quebec City, 1:04.23; 2. Kennedy Goss, North York, Ont., 1:04.52; 3. Sadie Fazekas, Windsor, Ont., 1:05.78.

200 breaststroke: 1. Justine Rhéaume, Montreal, 2:40.27; 2. Genevieve Robertson, Guelph, Ont., 2:40.36; 3. Olivia Paskulin, Pointe-Claire, Que., 2:40.91.

400 IM: 1. Samantha Stratford, Guelph, Ont., 5:01.12; 2. Mary-Sophie Harvey, Trois-Rivieres, Que., 5 :06.46; 3. Melanie McDonald, Etobicoke, Ont., 5 :07.00.

16 and over

50 butterfly: 1. Katerine Savard, Quebec City, 26.55; 2. Kylie Masse, Windsor, Ont., 27.57; 3. Jennifer Beckberger, Whitby, Ont., 27.59.

50 freestyle: 1. Jennifer Beckberger, Whitby, Ont., 26.05; 2. Marie-Pier Ratelle, Trois-Rivieres, Que., 26.19; 3. Caroline Lapierre-Lemire, Trois-Rivieres, 26.23.

100 backstroke: 1. Brittany MacLean, Etobicoke, Ont., 1:02.91; 2. Marie-Pier Couillard, Levis, Que., 1:03.60; 3. Katy Murdoch, Calgary, 1:03.64.

200 breaststroke: 1. Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson, Nepean, Ont., 2:32.14; 2. Lauren Earp, Etobicoke, Ont., 2:32.32; 3. Sarah-Lee Hevey, Montreal, 2:35.09.

400 IM: 1. Karyn Jewell, Orleans, Ont., 4:50.42; 2. Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson, Nepean, Ont., 4:54.66; 3. Olivia Feschuk, Halifax, 5:00.19.

Local hometown swim star Chantal van Landeghem will be the main attraction this weekend at the Speedo Western Championships held at the Pan Am pool in from February 16-19.

Seventeen year-old van Landeghem is already making headlines for her accomplishments in the pool. She was recently named Manitoba’s Sports Writers and Sports Casters 2011 Female Athlete of the Year.

She earned this award for her contribution to Canada’s medal haul at the World Junior Championships with silver in the 100-metre freestyle and 4×100 freestyle relay, as well as a won bronze in the 50-metre backstroke, 50-metre freestyle and 50-metre butterfly.

Also, she helped Canada’s women’s team qualify the 4×100 freestyle relay for the London Games while competing at the 2011 FINA World Aquatic Championships.

Now in 2012, van Landeghem is looking at adding the Olympian title to her resume.

With just over a month until the Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials, racing at the Speedo Western Championships is key to van Landeghem and other Canadian swimmers’ preparation for the big event.

This weekend, the 6’1 van Landeghem is scheduled to race nine individual races in front of a home crowd.

Preliminary session starts at 9am and finals at 6pm local.

Complete list of swimmer competing at the Speedo Western Championships.

About the Speedo Western Championships

The Speedo Western Championships brings together a great mix of Canada’s senior, youth and junior swimmers. This regional competition is held annually in February in various cities throughout Western Canada and is held on the same weekend as the Speedo Eastern Championships. In 2012, the competition will be hosted in Pan Am Pool, February 16th -19th. This short course competition serves as an excellent racing and development opportunity for Youth and Junior competitors.

Local Olympian Mike Brown, of Perth ON, will be joined by 2008 Beijing Games teammate Erica Morningstar of Calgary to headline the 2012 Speedo Eastern Championships held at the Gatineau Sports Complex from February 16-19.

Brown, a two time Olympian, will use the Eastern Championships as a final tune-up for Swimming Canada’s Olympic & Paralympic selection trials held next Month in Montreal.

“This is a great opportunity for me to finalize my preparation for the Trials, and also get to compete in front of family and friends from the Ottawa-Gatineau region,” said Mike Brown.

Brown, who has been training in Calgary for several years now, returned to competitive swimming last year after retiring after placing 4th at the Beijing Olympic Games.

“After Beijing, I was physically and emotionally drained. My year off gave me the opportunity to regain that love for the sport,” added Brown.

Other local emerging stars competing at the Speedo Eastern Championships in Gatineau are Dominique Massie-Martel of Ottawa and Karyn Jewell of Orleans. Massie-Martel competed last summer for Canada as part of the men’s 4×100 freestyle at the FINA World Championships in Shanghai next to silver medallist Brent Hayden.

Jewel, the 17 year-old training out of Gatineau, was a member of Canada’s Pan-American Games team and is quickly climbing the ropes towards the senior international squad.

Other Olympic hopefuls to look for are Katy Murdoch and Paul Kornfeld of Calgary, Brittany MacLean of Etobicoke, Katerine Savard of Pont Rouge QC, and Geneviève Cantin of Quebec.

Preliminary sessions start at 9am and finals at 6pm local.

About the Speedo Eastern Canadian Championships

The Speedo Eastern Championships brings together a great mix of Canada’s senior, youth and junior swimmers. This regional competition is held annually in February in various cities throughout eastern Canada and is held on the same weekend as the Speedo Western Championships. This year, the competition will be hosted at the Gatineau Sports , Gatineau, Qc, February 16th -19. This short course prelims, long course finals competition serves as an excellent racing and development opportunity for Youth and Junior competitors.

Barbara Jardin of Montreal highlighted another big medal day for Canada at the U.S., Grand Prix swimming competition on Saturday with a victory in the women’s 400-metre freestyle.

The Canadian swimmers once again looked sharp in preparation for the Olympic trials March 27 to April 1 in Montreal.

Jardin clocked four minutes and 09.17 seconds reeling in compatriot Samantha Cheverton of Pointe-Claire, Que., while staying ahead of American Kathleen Ledecky. Ledecky wound up with the silver in 4:09.30 and Cheverton was third in 4:09.56.

Brittany MacLean of Etobicoke, Ont., was seventh.

‘’It was a big win for me,’’ said Jardin, 20. ‘’Ever since 2008 I’ve been trying to improve the last length of my race. It’s always been my weak point. To finish ahead Samantha and Brittany who are such strong finishers feels really good.’’

Canadians swept the medals in two races.

In the men’s 400 freestyle, Olympic and world championship medallist Ryan Cochrane of Victoria took the gold in 3:53.47 edging Keegan Zanatta of Victoria second in 3:53.60 and Kier Maitland of Edmonton third in 3:56.18. Alec Page of Victoria was sixth and Hassaam Abdel-Khalik of Etobicoke, Ont., eighth.

‘’I wasn’t happy with my race,’’ said Cochrane. ‘’But I’m keeping my focus on the big picture.’’

In the women’s 200 breaststroke, Tianna Rissling of Medicine Hat was first, Jillian Tyler second, Mariya Chekanovych of Burnaby, B.C., third and Ashley McGregor of Pointe-Claire fourth.

‘’It was almost a best time,’’ said Rissling. ‘’I’ve been working a lot on my technique and that seems to be coming together.’’

In other women’s races, Katerine Savard of Quebec City was third in the 200 butterfly with Mackenzie Downing of Whitehorse fourth, Audrey Lacroix of Montreal fifth and Noemie Thomas of Vancouver eighth.

Julia Wilkinson of Victoria added a bronze in the 100 backstroke with Hilary Caldwell of Surrey, B.C., fifth, Sinead Russell of Burlington, Ont., sixth and Dominique Bouchard of North Bay, Ont., seventh.

Victoria Poon of Montreal was fourth in the 50 freestyle with Sandrine Mainville of Montreal seventh.

On the men’s side, Stefan Hirniak of Victoria took bronze in the 200 butterfly with Zack Chetrat of Oakville, Ont., fourth, Mack Darragh of Oakville sixth and Page seventh. Charles Francis of Montreal and Tobias Oriwol of Toronto were sixth and eighth in the 100 backstroke.

SANTOS, Brazil (January 29, 2012) – Richard Weinberger of Victoria took another big step towards earning a berth on the Olympic team on Sunday winning the bronze medal in the men’s 10 kilometre race at a marathon swimming World Cup.

World champion Spiros Gianniotis of Greece won the gold medal in two hours and 11 minutes and 39.51 seconds. Nicola Bolzonello of Italy was second in 2:11:41.44 and Weinberger followed closely in 2:11:42.34.

Seven Olympic qualifiers from last year’s world championships were in the race and Weinberger finished ahead of six of them.

‘’I’m very excited about this performance,’’ said Weinberger, 21. ‘’It gives me a lot of confidence and it proves my strong results last year were no fluke.’’

Weinberger emerged on the international scene last year as a serious medal threat for the London Games highlighted by a victory on the Olympic course at a test event in the British capital.

‘’To be racing side by side and keeping pace with a guy like Spiros was exhilarating,’’ he said. ‘’There is still a long journey ahead but with continued serious training and hard work I feel that one day I can surpass him.’’

Sunday’s race was held in warm and choppy waters totally opposite conditions to those he’ll likely face in London

‘’The conditions were not in my favour today but still it is important for me to race in those kinds of situations,’’ Weinberger said. ‘’In London the waters will be cold and flat and that’ll be perfect for me.’’

Xavier Desharnais of Sherbrooke, Que., was 16th and Aimeson King of Victoria 31st.

In the women’s 10 kilometre race, Martina Grimaldi of Italy won the gold medal in 2:22:33.94. Zsofia Balazs of Toronto was the top Canadian placing 14th in 2:23:40.94. Nadine Williams of Sherwood Park, Alta., was 21st, Tyra Rooney of Calgary 25th while Caitlin Nolan, of LaSalle, Que., did not finish.

‘’It was one of my better races,’’ said Balazs. ‘’I was happy with how I stayed calm and showed no anxiety when I would fall behind.’’

The top-placing Canadian swimmer at either today’s race or the World Cup next Saturday in Argentina will be selected to attend the Olympic Marathon Qualifier in Portugal next June with hopes of grabbing one of the remaining Olympic spots.

Swimming Canada, the governing body for competitive swimming in Canada, will be selecting a team of 4 athletes (2 male, 2 female), to race under the maple leaf banner at the Olympic Marathon Qualifier.

The second qualifier will then be the next top-placing swimmer from either FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cups in Brazil, Argentina or Mexico on April 21st.

TORONTO (January 24, 2012) – Olympian Tobias Oriwol was part of three of Canada’s Olympic Heroes that took part in the 2012 edition of the Canadian Olympic School Program launch yesterday at Williamson Road Junior Public School in Toronto.

Oriwol, joined by Mary Spencer (Boxing) and Martin Reader (Beach Volleyball), led students through part of the Canadian Olympic School Program curriculum.

“It was unique opportunity to connect with the younger generation and talk about how Canadian Olympic School Program’s main themes of this year – respect, leadership, and active living – relates to our experiences in our respective sports,” said Tobias Oriwol.

Oriwol has been working with the COSP over the past month to help develop a training log to be used by students in order to track their daily physical activity.

For Oriwol, having the opportunity to give back to the community and inspire young Canadians is something he cherishes.

The Canadian Olympic School Program has engaged students in the Olympic Movement since 1987, inspiring students to achieve their personal best through Olympian stories, activities, movement skills, podcasts, case studies and project packs. The program, developed for teachers by teachers, is designed to promote Olympic values and the importance of pursuing personal excellence in all facets of life.

For more information on the program, visit http://olympicschool.ca