Quebec wins double gold on day 3 of 2015 Canada Games

Prince George, February 27, 2015 – The first medals were awarded today at the Prince George Aquatic Centre on day 3 of the Canada Games synchronized swimming competition.

In the duet finals, presented in the morning, sisters Ioana and Maria Gheta from Quebec won the first gold medal of the competition, posting a score of 78.6667 for their program and a total final score of 75.0928. Paige Hopper and Cassie Winkelaar from Alberta captured silver with 74.3407 while the Ontario pair of Sabrina Barnes and Meaghan Ozikizler earned bronze with 72.8333.

“We’re so proud to represent the province of Quebec because this is where we really grew as athletes”, stated the Ghetas who moved to Quebec 3 years ago to pursue their passion of synchronized swimming. “We’re sisters and when we swim in duet, we’re of one mind: we move the same and we think the same. We couldn’t be happier right now!”

In the finals for group B, the other Quebec pair of Brooke Brimo and Melody Roy came in first followed by Astrid Lauf and Maxime McLean from Alberta and Sion Ormond and Joelle Zavitz from Ontario.

Team Quebec takes gold in team event

Synchro fans were treated to a very tight contest in the spectacular team finals in the evening. In the end, Quebec edged Alberta for the gold medal with an slim 0.33 point lead, earning 77.9000 points for their « Conquest » themed routine and a championship score (with figures) of 74.3816. Alberta earned silver with 74.0560 and Ontario won bronze with 73.0054.

“We’ve been training so hard for 7 months to get to this point”, said team member Maude Jobin, “and we’ve always been doing it with the gold medal in mind. We went in as a team, left it all in the pool and won as a team. It’s an experience we’ll never forget.”

Amazing turnout for synchro events

Since the beginning of the competition, all events have been held in front of full capacity crowds. For the team event, over 200 fans were lining up all the way to the sidewalk outside the Prince George Aquatic Centre hours before the event.

“We’re obviously very happy with the turnout”, stated Synchro BC Executive Director Annie Smith. “We’re confident that the Canada Games will leave a lasting legacy all over the province. In Prince George, the Water Lillies synchro club was founded a year ago and already has over 15 members. We expect the momentum from this competition will continue and translate into more girls – and boys – participating in this wonderful sport.”

Synchronized swimming events end tomorrow with the solo event, starting at 9:30 for the B final followed by the A final at 11:30.

About Synchro Canada

Synchro Canada is the national organization governing synchronized swimming in Canada. It represents 10 provincial associations, a territorial association, as well as some 150 clubs and 12,000 members across Canada. A member of FINA, the world’s governing aquatic sports organization, Synchro Canada promotes the quest for excellence by developing the athletes, citizens and ambassadors of the sport of synchronized swimming at every level.

Synchro Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Program partners: Sport Canada, Own The Podium, the Institut national du sport du Québec

Official Aquatic Supplier: Speedo Canada

Official make up: MAKE UP FOR EVER

Official suppliers: Knox Gelatine, AdUp, National Car Rental

Official hotel: Hilton Hotels Canada

For further information, visit Synchro Canada’s Website at www.synchro.ca or follow Synchro Canada on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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For information:

Stéphane Côté

Synchro Canada

Communications Coordinator