Veteran Stephanie Dixon of Victoria BC started two races in the qualifying heats, but committed a false start in the 100m Freestyle to be disqualified. In her other event - the 50m freestyle -, Dixon swam to a fourth place in the finals in what was the closest of event the team, missing the podium by 0.2 seconds with a time of 0:30.96. In the finals, Dixon was swimming beside South African Nathalie Du Toit, who broke two world records.
Andrew Haley, from Toronto, ON, a multiple Paralympic Games medalist, swam in the 100m backstroke, an event which is not hi strongest and finished in 7th position with a time of 1:14.59. Brad Sales of Sweaburg, ON started the 100m backstroke alongside Haley in Lane 3, thanks to an excellent qualifying heat and, after an excellent start, he slipped to finish in 5th position, beating Haley with a time 1:09.51.
Laura Jensen of Fort St-John BC raced in two events today, her first major international swimfest. The 17 year old rookie finished 5th in the 50m Butterfly with a time of 0:51.50 and 7th in the 50m Freestyle with a time of 0:38.36, satisfying performances and intimations of a brilliant career ahead.
In the women’s 100m Butterfly, Andrea Cole of Thunder Bay, ON swam to a 6th place finish.
“Regardless of my performance, events like these one are very good for the global Paralympic Movement and I was thrilled to be part of such a exciting event,.” said Haley
“Coming in just off a podium is always hard but I was competitive,” said a resilient Dixon after her race. “I’m determined to crack the podium at my earliest opportunity!”
“There were outstanding swimmers racing today and I’m thrilled to be here alongside the best in the world,” said Jensen. “I am focused on improving myself race after race and looking to qualify for the World Championships in San Antonio.”
Team Canada’s Head Coach Craig McCord was positive about his team efforts in the pool today.
“The Visa Paralympic World Cup gives us an opportunity to see how we stand against the best in the world,” he comments. “We’ll go back home, work on technique and fitness and focus on qualifying as many athletes as possible for the world championships. Then it’s time to kick out he jams.”
Tomorrow will feature Athletics, with Canada’s Paralympic speedsters attending the events.
The Visa Paralympic World Cup is the biggest international, annual multi-sport competition sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee after the Paralympic Games and has been staged in Manchester, Great Britain for the past two years. The event plays a critical role in providing international competition between Paralympic Games.
