Santiago, Chile (Oct. 29, 2023) – Capping off a successful Pan American Games, four Canadians took on the 10-kilometre open water marathon race in 17 degree temperatures as the final event of the swim schedule.

In their debut at the Games, Edmonton Keyano Swim Club’s Emma Finlin and Bailey O’Regan, who trains with the Sarasota Sharks in Florida, represented Canadian women in the marathon event. Opening racing, Finlin led the pack in the first two laps and challenged the United States’, Ashley Twichell, who ultimately won the race (1:57:16.40). Finlin touched 2:40.30 behind the winner finishing in sixth spot in a time of 1:59:67.70.

“I was in the front pack of the race which was really cool. I did fall off a bit which is OK, but I am really happy with the race, and really happy with the placing,” said 18-year-old Finlin. “I knew it would be a tough field to be in the top three, but I tried my best. Looking towards World Championships in Doha, I think it’s a great experience racing here, especially if I have to race in a wet suit again.”

National distance/open water coach, Mark Perry, explains the valuable tools and experiences for athletes ahead of World Aquatics Championships.

“We were kind of aiming for that top six position for Emma,” said Perry. “She’s got the World Championships in February, so this is a good steppingstone to figuring out how she can race and the best strategy for her.”

After eight laps of the course and her second time as part of a senior national team, 17-year-old O’Regan finished in 11^th with a time of 2:04:35.80.

“It was definitely a learning curve, but it was also super enjoyable. First time in a wet suit so lots to learn there but overall, I would say it was a pretty good race,” said O’Regan. “Think the biggest takeaway for me is not to get overwhelmed with everything because there is a lot going on and it is exciting and really cool, but remembering to just keep calm and focused on the race.”

20-year-old, Ben Cote of Killarney Swim Club, switched gears from racing in the pool earlier in the week to being part of the open water quartet. He joined Hedlin as part of the lead pack for the first half of the race before falling back to 12^th spot in a time of 1:52:18.70 and was 1:55.30 behind the winner from the United States, Brennan Gravley (1:50:23.40).

“I think I was a little too comfortable in that front half thinking, ‘I don’t feel that dehydrated or malnourished’. I should’ve fed on lap six, but waited until lap seven, but by then I completely lost the pack so I guess I learned my lesson,” explained Cote. “I went into this meet training for the 400 IM, so with my coach back home all my sets were around 400 IM practices and so when I got to that point in the meet it was a quick turnaround with my mindset to swim for two hours straight instead of four minutes.”

As the only member of the team competing at a Games previously, Eric Hedlin looked to better his placing from 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games where he finished ninth. Challenging to stay in the lead pack, the UVic Pacific Coast athlete finished in 16^th position, touching five minutes after the lead finishing in 1:55:22.80.

“I felt like I was battling a bit more than I should’ve,” explained 30-year-old Hedlin. “I found it hard to swim smooth and I think the pack had quite a bit of change of speed and I don’t think I’m trained enough for that. My goal was to come top six in this race, so I’m definitely a little disappointed with that.”

Swimming events have officially concluded at the Pan American Games with athletes contributing 25 medals to Canada’s overall total. Athletes will now look ahead to World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar February 2 to 18.

Full results from all races can be found here.