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Canadians gain valuable experience at world junior open water swimming championships

News –

HOORN, The Netherlands – Canada’s top junior open water swimmers said they received valuable experience on Saturday as they faced international competition for the first time at the FINA World Junior Championships.

‘’This was my first trip to Europe,’’ said 16-year-old Jersey Bishop of Markham, Ont., who finished 27th in the women’s 7.5 kilometre race for the 16-17 age group. ‘’This was my sixth-ever open water race and I was very pleased with my performance. My goal was to place somewhere between 20th and 30th.’’

Paul Ruiz of Spain won a decisive gold medal clocking one hour and 29 minutes and 55.7 seconds in cool and wavy waters. Her closest pursuer Oceane Cassignol of France was more than two and half minutes behind in second. Fuwei Dong of China was third.

Bishop was more than 11 minutes behind the leader while Imani Thedore of Ottawa was 30th.

In the boys 16-17 7.5 kilometre race, Logan Fontaine of France fended off two Americans to win in 1:25:06.08. Michael Brinegar was more than 90 seconds behind for the silver and Simon Lamar was third.

David Pouliot of Quebec City was 31st and Connor Walker of Toronto did not finish.

‘’I’m pleased with how I competed today,’’ said Pouliot. ‘’There are certain areas I could have done better but I had never faced such a strong field before.’’

Competition continues Sunday with the men’s and women’s 18-19 age group 10 kilometre race. Canadian entries for the men are Édouard Bélanger of St-Romuald, Que., and Vincent Laperie of Montreal and for the women Lauren Teghtsoonian of Winnipeg and Victoria Mock of Victoria.

Full results: http://hoorn2016wjc.microplustiming.com/index_web.php