Following a prolific six-medal day on Day 1 of the Para-swimming World Championships, the Canadian team was ejected from the podium on Monday in Madeira, Portugal.
Posted yesterday at 5:22 p.m.
Sabrina Duchesne placed fourth in the S7 400 freestyle with a time of 5 minutes 34.42 seconds. The para-swimmer from Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures was provisionally third at the first 100-metre mark, but then she slowed down and was passed by American Ahalya Lettenberger, eventual bronze medalist, who beat the Quebecer by more than 12 seconds.
Another American, McKenzie Coan, dominated the race thanks to a lead of more than 9 seconds over her closest pursuer, the Italian Giulia Terzi.
“It was a difficult race, but I was faster than at the Canadian team trials, so I’m happy,” Duchesne admitted to the Canadian Paralympic Committee, adding that she will have to improve her second 200 meters. if she wants to be a medalist.
” The first [200 mètres] was perfect and I felt so good, while the second one, like in Tokyo [aux Jeux paralympiques], it was so hard! »
The Ontario native of Kitchener who now trains in Quebec, Alec Elliot, resented his fifth place in the 200-meter S10 medley, which he completed in a time of 2 minutes 16.67 seconds.
In an event won by Italian Stefano Raimondi who led from start to finish, Elliot did not have an excellent first 50 meters in butterfly style. Provisionally sixth, he moved up to fourth place after his length in the backstroke, but he slipped one place in the breaststroke and maintained this ranking in the last 50 meters of the race.
“It was okay, but honestly a little disappointing. I gave it my all tonight [lundi]. My split times in the 100 meters and 150 meters were faster in the preliminaries. I just haven’t been able to do it [en finale]. »
Clémence Paré took part in the first final of her career at the World Championships. The 19-year-old finished eighth in the 50m backstroke (S5) in a time of 1 minute 3.51 seconds.
“My swimming was good, but my time could have been better. I’m still happy for my first final at the worlds,” explained the Bouchervilloise after her race.
Felix Cowan (S8) of Brossard was sixth fastest in the 100-metre backstroke. Later in the evening, he took part in the Canadian 4×50-metre mixed relay (20 points) which placed seventh.
Finally, Arianna Hunsicker (SM10) finished fifth in her preliminary heat of the 200 meter medley, which was insufficient to secure her a place in the final.
The competition continues on Tuesday.