(Toronto) Bryden Hattie (Boardworks) took an important step towards the World Diving Championships on Friday, winning gold in the 3m springboard at the Canadian championships.
Throughout the final, Hattie battled hard with guest diver Victor Povzner.
The latter finally got a better final grade than Hattie. However, since Povzner is not diving for Canada on the international scene, the two competitors shared the gold medal and it was Hattie (430.85 points) who walked away with the Canadian championship title.
“I knew what I had to do to win,” said Hattie, an athlete from Victoria. I wanted to be consistent in qualifying and then have fun in the final. I felt light and that helped a lot. »
The podium was completed by Albertan Thomas Ciprick (PCDC) and Quebecer Cédric Fofana (CAMO) with 407.55 and 401.80 points, respectively.
“I probably could have gotten a better result, but I’m pretty happy with my performance,” said Ciprick. My first three dives in the final didn’t live up to my expectations, but I stayed calm to finish strong. »
Hattie is one step closer to competing in the World Diving Championships July 14-22 in Fukuoka, Japan.
The Canadian team will be officially announced next week.
Mia Vallée, with a clear conscience
PHOTO CHRISTINNE MUSCHI, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Mia Valley
Quebecer Mia Vallée (CAMO) entered the final on the one-metre springboard with a light head. The reigning champion of the event wanted to climb once again on the top step of the podium and she took great measures to get there.
Vallée set the bar very high on her first dive of the final where she collected a score of 62.40. She was in the provisional lead after that jump and stayed there through all five rounds of the final, finishing the day with a total of 290.60 points.
“I wanted to have fun, I felt really good at the start of the day. It wasn’t as good as I would have liked, but I’m really happy. It had been a few months since I felt worse, but this week everything was really good,” she shared after her victory.
If Vallée seemed to have a clearer conscience, it is partly because she finished her semester at the University of Miami where she studies marine biology. The Quebecer admits that she feels much more rested than in the last few weeks.
“Honestly, it’s amazing the difference it makes. Last week was my first week after graduation where I had no work to do and I felt so much better in practice. It’s easier when I know I just have to focus on the dive,” explained Vallée.
The Quebecer was accompanied on the podium by her synchronized teammate Pamela Ware (CAMO) and by Alberta’s Aimee Wilson (Calgary). They obtained total scores of 283.35 and 263.95.