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Canadian swimmers in action on both sides of Atlantic

News –

Over the weekend, Canadian athletes showcased their skills in two competitions that unfolded on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Josh Liendo, Summer McIntosh and Mabel Zavaros were in a strong feild amongst some of the top athletes in the world, all reaching the podium multiple times. Meanwhile, over France, three swimmers set the scene for an exciting Mare Nostrum tour during the first weekend of racing.  

Throughout the weekend, McIntosh’s talent shone in Atlanta. This was her first meet since setting two world records at the 2023 Bell Canadian Swimming Trials. She advanced to the finals in six different events. In the women’s 200-m backstroke, the 16-year-old Torontonian achieved a first place finish with a time of 2:07.34, which rivals her career best time of 2:07.15. She out touched Canadian teammate, Mabel Zavaros, finishing second in a time of 2:12.08. Zavaros would also become victorious in the women’s 200 butterfly holding off the pack touching in 2:11. 33 and second in 400-m individual medley.   

Emerging triumphant in the women’s 100-m backstroke, McIntsoh touched the wall before the other finalists with a time of 1:00.06.  

In the women’s 100-m butterfly, McIntosh achieved a second-place finish and set a new personal best of 57.86. Furthermore, she secured second in the women’s 200-m breaststroke with a time of 2:29.64. 

Reaching the top of the podium twice was Olympian and Canadian record holder, Josh Liendo. In an upset, he outswam United States’ swimming star, Caleb Dressel in the men’s 100-m butterfly touching the wall with a time of 51.79. The two also battled it out again the to 50-m with Josh securing silver over the Olympic Champion by seven-one-hundredths going 22.50.  

On the third day of racing, Liendo was victorious yet again to take the win in the men’s 100-m freestyle going 49.19.  

Meanwhile, in Canet-en-Roussillon, France, the first leg of the 2023 Mare Nostrum tour concluded with Canadian athletes, Ingrid Wilm, Sophie Angus, and Cole Pratt, delivering strong performances throughout the opening weekend. 

Wilm, from the Cascade Swim Club, secured a second place finish in the women’s 50-m backstroke, clocking in at 28.10. The Calgary native also finished third in the women’s 100-m backstroke, recording a time of 1:00.66. 

Sophie Angus of the High Performance Centre – Ontario represented Canada in breaststroke events. The 24-year-old achieved sixth place in the women’s 100-m breaststroke, with a time of 1:08.91. Angus was seventh in the women’s 200-m breaststroke B final and sixth in the 50-m breaststroke B final, recording times of 2:35.08 and 31.92. 

Calgary native and Cascade Swim Club swimmer, Cole Pratt, also participated in the first leg of the tour, finishing 22nd with a time of 27.44 in the men’s 50-m backstroke. 

With the completion of this weekend’s event in France, the focus now shifts to the Canadian athletes who have completed a training camp in Mallorca, Spain. Barcelona is the next destination for Canadian athletes as they gear up for the second leg of the Mare Nostrum tour, slated to begin Wednesday. 

For more information about the 2023 Mare Nostrum Swim Tour, including live results, visit: 

https://marenostrumswimtour.com/