MONTREAL – Javier Acevedo of Ajax, Ont., won gold medals in the 50-m backstroke and 200-m individual medley on Saturday at the 2018 RBC Canadian Swimming Championships.

Acevedo took the gold in the 200-m IM in 2:01.99 with Robert Hill of Calgary second at 2:02.99 and Finlay Knox of Okotoks, Alta., third at 2:03.73.

‘’That was my best time in three years so I’m pleased with that,’’ said Acevedo, a double bronze medallist in mixed relays at the world championships last year. ‘’I’m excited for what the summer is holding for me, I really want to compete at a high level this season.’’

In the 50-m backstroke, Acevedo and Hill were 1-2 again in 25.43 and 26.07. Sebastian Somerset of Calgary was third in 26.14.

Other winners in men’s competition were Alexandre Perreault of Ottawa and Owen Daly of Montreal who tied for first in the 100-m butterfly in 53.61, Alexander Pratt of Calgary in the 400-m freestyle in 3:52.32 and Montreal’s Club CAMO in the 4X100-m freestyle relay in 3:22.20.

Canadian record holder and world championship medallist Sydney Pickrem clocked 2:11.31 in a decisive victory in the women’s 200-m IM. Avery Wiseman of Drayton Valley, Alta., was second in 2:16.37 and Kelsey Wog of Winnipeg third in 2:16.53.

‘’It was O.K.,’’ said Pickrem. ‘’Right now I’m training and just getting into the long course season. To go the times I’m going, I’m happy. There’s a lot to improve on and that just makes me excited to train for the summer.’’

Other winners in women’s competition were Margaret MacNeil of London, Ont., in the 100-m butterfly in 58.98 – her first sub 59 second time, Daphne Danyluk of Montreal in the 50-m backstroke in 28.91, Molly Gowans of Victoria in the 400-m freestyle in 4:11.55 and Montreal’s Club CAMO in the 4X100-m freestyle relay in 3:49.01.

‘’It was really good, I’m really excited,’’ said MacNeil. ‘’I’ve been working hard to get under 59, I’ve been close for the last few years.’’

In Para swimming, winners included Maxime Rouselle of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., in the 200-m IM and 100-m butterfly.

Competition continues through to Sunday at the Olympic Park Sports Centre.

A total of 484 athletes from 130 clubs will be attending the event and 10 provinces and 3 countries will be represented.

Tickets are available for purchase on-site and online at https://secure.ticketpro.ca/?lang=en&server=ww1#def_1283732902. Final sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. each day and tickets are $12 each, while preliminary sessions kick off at 9:30 a.m. each day and will be free of charge.

The 2018 Canadian Swimming Championships are being webcast at http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/aquatics

Results will be available here: http://results.swimming.ca/2018_CSC/

For further information about the event visit: https://www.swimming.ca/en/events-results/events/2018-canadian-swimming-championships/