Saskatoon to welcome 239 synchronized swimmers for the 2014 Canadian Open Championships

Saskatoon, April 26, 2014 – More than 239 junior and senior synchronized swimmers from across Canada and the world will be at the Shaw Centre Pool in Saskatoon (122, Bowlt Cres), April 30-May 3, for Synchro Canada’s 2014 Canadian Open Championships.

The athletes will represent 30 clubs from five countries and nine Canadian provinces during the championships hosted by the Saskatoon Aqualenes under the leadership of Synchro Canada. Four synchronized swimmers will represent the host club, the Saskatoon Aqualenes.

Canada’s Senior National Team will be in action at the Canadian Open Championships after a return to the event last year in Quebec City. The Canadian team will take part in the free and technical team events.

Canada’s new senior soloist, Jacqueline Simoneau, fresh off a win at the British Gas Synchro Championships in England two weeks ago, will swim in the free solo event. She will also take part in the technical and free duet events with partner Karine Thomas of Gatineau, Qc.

The Open will be the Canadian team’s third event of the season after successful outings in Germany and France, as they are gearing up for the 2014 World Cup in Quebec City, the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, and, ultimately, for the 2016 Olympic Games.

The opening ceremonies for the Championships will be held at 4:45pm on Thursday, May 1.

Representation from Australia, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Spain

The event will also have an international flavour with the participation from 4 countries that are sending athletes to take part in both junior and senior events.

Qualifying event for the 2014 Junior National Team

At the Canadian level, junior swimmers will look to qualify for Synchro Canada’s 2014 Junior National Team scheduled to compete at the 2014 World Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships, July 30-August 3, in Helsinki, Finland.

The top-25 in the junior figures event will advance to Phase 2, a second figures event scheduled for Thursday. The top-20 athletes from Phase 2 will meet again on Sunday for Phases 3 and 4 when the training squad will be selected.

Gala of Champions

The 2014 Canadian Open Championships will also include a Gala of Champions on Saturday May 3 at 7 pm.

This watershow will feature the champions of the different events presented during the week as well as the international athletes and teams, including Synchro Canada’s Senior National Team.

Tickets for the Gala of Champions will be available all week long during the competition at the Shaw Centre for $10. Tickets are limited. Admission will be free for the athletes, coaches and judges who take part in the 2014 Canadian Open Championships.

Schedule and results for the 2014 Canadian Open Championships will be available online atwww.synchro.ca.

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