By Rebecca Cheverton

Three-time Olympian Stephanie Horner is excited to get back into the ocean to try to qualify for her fourth Olympic Games.

Horner, of Beaconsfield, Que., will be one of two Canadian females going to Setubal, Portugal to compete in the 10-km race at the FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier Jun 19-20.

“I’m excited. This has definitely been the longest consecutive block for me without any racing to break up my training,” said Horner. “Last time I raced was August 2019 and so I’m looking forward to putting my racing suit on and feeling the ocean’s waves.”

A total of 15 spots are at stake in the 10-km race to qualify for the Olympic Games. The nine highest placed athletes at the event (one per country) will obtain their spot. One spot will go to the host country (Japan), and the 5 remaining spots will go to the highest placed athlete, not yet qualified, from each of the five Continents.

Teammate Kate Sanderson, of Toronto, will also be competing for her Olympic berth. Sanderson was pre-selected to attend the qualifier by placing as the highest Canadian female in the 10-km at the 2019 World Championships where she finished 35^th.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian open water team has not had the chance to compete since 2019. Even with all the changes and postponements to the calendar, Horner has kept a positive mindset.

“Everyone is in the same boat with regards to strict COVID protocols as well as frequent unpredictable changes,” said Horner. “I personally believe that it’s all about mindset. The attitude and effort you bring forward is what helps you get through it.”

Horner moved to Vancouver in 2020 to continue to train with coach Brad Dingey after the High Performance Centre-Victoria closed.

“It hasn’t been easy for me to change programs a year out of Olympic trials, however I was able to find some comfort in following Brad to the Vancouver Centre,” said Horner.

This move also allowed Horner to train with Sanderson and Hau-Li Fan, other members of the national open water team.

“Open water swimming requires more training mileage than most pool swimmers,” said Horner.  “I have a hard time swimming sets on my own and so being able to train with people makes it more enjoyable to get through a workout session. In my opinion, the more the merrier.”

Horner has an impressive resume with many years of experience competing internationally. Her first major international meet came at the junior level at the 2005 Junior Pan Pacific Championships. The following year she made her senior national team debut at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships. She competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics in the pool, and 2016 Olympic Games in open water, and has attended several World Championships in both pool and open water.

Horner competed at the same location in Setubal, Portugal for the 2016 FINA Marathon Swimming Olympic Games Qualification event, where she qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Horner learned from this experience to simply enjoy and embrace it all.

“So many people dream and aspire to make it to the top and so any time I get the opportunity to represent my country, I want to be the best that I can be,” said Horner. “I make sure to appreciate that special moment and do not want to take it for granted.”

What goals does Horner have after the Olympic Games?

“Time will tell. I think the secret is to keep planting seeds of happiness and the rest will take care of itself.”

The female 10-km at the FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier takes place Saturday, Jun 19 at 4:00pm local time.

For more information on the event please click here: https://www.fina.org/competitions/8/fina-olympic-marathon-swim-qualifier-2021