Building on the same routine as at the Tokyo Olympics, the Canadian team finished fifth in the technical team competition of the World Junior Artistic Swimming Championships held at Laval University’s PEPS on Tuesday night.

• Also read: Artistic Swimming: History is made at the World Juniors in Quebec

Canada scored 83.5095 compared to gold medalist Japan’s 88.3786.

Spain and Italy won silver and bronze respectively.

“The girls did their best,” said Doré. I am very happy. Everything was there. They have put in a tough routine and their performance will give them confidence.”

Canada’s performance is all the more commendable given that the swimmers only had seven weeks to refine their preparation. “Despite this short delay, I’m not surprised by their performance because the dynamic within the team is incredible,” said Doré. It’s one of the good teams I’ve managed in 30 years. The girls quickly became a team. We are counting on an exceptional group that is making progress every day.”

“They got a decent score, but the girls will improve their score in the freestyle,” adds Doré confidently. After two years of inactivity, we didn’t know what to expect in terms of score, so we aimed for performance.

Fifth place for Lamothe

As the best Canadian, Audrey Lamothe finished her technical exercise in fifth place.

The caliber was increased by the presence of three swimmers who took part in the World Senior Championships in Budapest in June. Alongside Lamothe, Japan’s Moe Higa won gold with an impressive collection of 88.4438 points, and France’s Oriane Jaillardon won bronze with 84.3904 points.

“I’m happy with my performance,” said Lamothe, who made her senior international debut at last winter’s World Series in Europe. I knew the caliber would increase with the presence of some high-level athletes.

incentives

The 17-year-old swimmer scored 83.5463 points for her exercise. Italy’s Susanna Pedotti took silver with 85.2942 points.

“I tried not to think too much about my medal chances and I wanted to do my best,” said Lamothe. I had a fever and it was an honor to swim home. I’m happy to have competed in front of my friends and family. Although I was focused on the music and my performance, I could hear encouragement from loved ones in the distance.”

What was Lamothe missing to get on the podium? “Audrey was more nervous than usual and lacked some stability,” explained the Canada team head coach. Audrey is a perfectionist and she thought a little too much which made her more fragile. She swam very well and I’m proud of her.”

A historic gold medal

Spain’s Dennis Gonzalez Boneu is the first solo gold medalist in history at the World Swimming Championships.

While the men celebrated their international debut in the mixed events in 2015, this year’s edition of the World Juniors will feature the solo competition for the first time. This historic victory had a very special touch for Gonzalez Boneu.

“It’s a special moment and I’m very emotional,” said the gold medalist, considering his 82.6639 points in the mixed zone. Our sport is evolving and progressing and it’s getting harder and harder to win. However, this is just the beginning and our sport will go much further.”

surprise

Gonzalez Boneu didn’t expect to climb to the top step of the podium. “I’m surprised by my gold medal,” he said. Japanese [Yotaro Sato] is very talented and I knew that victory would be difficult to come by. I was good in my technical elements. My attitude and the way I swim made the difference. It’s the best freestyle of my career and I’m aiming for another gold medal in mixed. We had a great event.”

Sato was second with a total of 80.9088 points. “It’s really very special to win a medal,” he said through his coach. I’m surprised by my medal.”

Her trainer wasn’t surprised by her protégé’s second place. “He’s modest when he talks about surprise, but we knew he had a chance of a medal,” she said. With his sister he won the mixed event at the world seniors in Budapest. His sister is not here because he is no longer a junior.

Interesting pool

Power on the international scene for women, Spain and Japan have an interesting pool of boys. “We have 20 boys who train in artistic swimming, ten of them in the national program,” said the Japanese coach.

On the Spanish side they are counting on 15 swimmers of all ages. “They can achieve whatever goals they want,” assured the Gonzalez Boneu coach.

Kazakh Eduard Kim completed the podium in a field of seven swimmers that included no Canadians. In fine form before completely missing his last technical element, Italy’s Fillipo Pelati, who told us about his career on Monday, was heartbroken. He received consolation from Canadian head coach Karine Doré and, above all, from teammate Susanna Pedotti.