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Open Water Junior Worlds In Canada

Aug 16, 2012

 Olympic open water bronze medallist Richard Weinberger of Victoria will be part of the opening ceremonies 

WELLAND, Ont. – The inaugural FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships will be held at the Welland International Flatwater Centre and Waterway this Thursday to Sunday (August 16-19) in Welland, Ont.

More than 130 athletes from 31 countries are expected to compete including an eight-member Canadian squad.  Olympic open water bronze medallist Richard Weinberger of Victoria will be part of the opening ceremonies which start at 8:30 p.m., at Merritt Park in downtown Welland.   Competition will be divided in two age groups (14-16 years and 17-18 years), for both men and women.   

Races will be held over five kilometres for the youth category (14-16) and 7.5km for the juniors (17-18).  Apart from individual events, a three km team event composed of three swimmers will also be organised for both age categories.   “It’s always great to bring the world to Canada,” said Pierre Lafontaine, Swimming Canada’s head coach and CEO.  

“This is a great way to promote open water swimming in our country.  We have an ideal venue for the junior swimmers and with the nice weather we’re expecting some fast times.”   Canadian entries for the men are Oliver Straszynski of Toronto and Liam Desjarlais of Prevost, Que., in youth competition and Nicolas MassĂ©-Savard of Gatineau, Que., and Samuel Matte of Quebec City in the junior event.   

 For the women, Canadian swimmers are Leena Struzina of Bowmanville, Ont., and Justine RhĂ©aume of Montreal in youth and Bronwyn Colford of Toronto and Jade Dusablon of Quebec City in junior.   Races start on Friday with the junior boys 7.5 kilometre race at 9 a.m. and the youth girls five kilometre at 2:30 p.m.  On Saturday it is the junior girls 7.5 kilometre at 9 a.m. and the youth boys five kilometre at 2:30 p.m.  The team events go on Sunday at 2 p.m.