Already decorated with silver twice since the start of the Para-swimming World Series presented in Berlin, Germany, Aurélie Rivard (S10) added it on Saturday, climbing once again on the second step of the podium, this time in the 50m free.
The athlete from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu set the fastest time in the multi-class grand final, finishing the distance in 28.08 s. All this gave her a total of 821 points to finish second behind Cypriot Karolina Pelendritou (S11) and her 949 points.
“I am very satisfied with this third medal, but also with my time. For me, the important thing is to improve from race to race and to work on progressing throughout the summer. Generally, during a big training period, this race is more difficult, but that was not the case today (Saturday) and it allowed me to win my first medal at this event in the World Series or in the World Cup,” commented Rivard on leaving the podium.
Also in action in the 50m free, Arianna Hunsicker (S10) took 12e rank after placing second in the B final. On the men’s side, Félix Thomas Cowan (S7) could not pass the qualifications, finishing 97e of the general classification in all categories.
James Leroux recovers nicely
Disappointed with his 32e place collected in the 100m breaststroke on Thursday, James Leroux (S9) did not miss his chance to pull himself together in his favorite style 48 hours later. In action in the 50m grand final, the swimmer from Repentigny set a new Canadian mark with his time of 31.50 s.
“I didn’t necessarily have a record in mind when I arrived here (in Berlin), but I really wanted to pick myself up after my more difficult 100m breaststroke. When I saw my result in qualifying this morning, I knew the record was achievable and I worked hard to achieve it tonight in the final! launched the one who concludes at 10e rank in the general classification of the event with 793 points.
Among the women, Danielle Kisser (S6), the only other Quebecer in the running on Saturday, finished 15e.
The Berlin World Series will conclude on Sunday, with the presentation of nine events.
After her medals in the 100, 200 and 50m freestyle, Aurélie Rivard will still have the podium in her sights in the 100m backstroke, a race in which she finished second at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
James Leroux, Félix Thomas Cowan, Arianna Hunsicker, Clémence Paré (S5) and Tess Routliffe (S7) will also swim at the end of the event.