Canada adds to medal haul at FINA World Series

Canada adds to medal haul at FINA World Series

WINDSOR, Ont. - Meaghan Benfeito of Montreal and Vincent Riendeau of Pointe-Claire, Que., took silver on Sunday in mixed 10-m synchro event to conclude the fifth stop on the FINA World Series diving circuit.
 
Ji Lian and Xiachu Tai of China took the gold with 341.88 points and Benfeito and Riendeau followed at 322.98.
 
"We came close to our personal best today and we were particularly pleased with our synchronisation," said Riendeau, 18, who has won four silver this season in the event with Benfeito on the circuit.
 
Earlier Sunday, Riendeau took sixth spot on men's 10-m tower.  He reached the final placing third in semifinal heat.  It was the second World Series event he has reached the final. Jian Yang led China to a 1-2 finish.
 
"It’s still surprising for me to make the final," said Riendeau. "I had a great semi but I went over on my second dive in the final and that cost me a lot of points. It also seemed to destabilize for the rest of the final."
 
In was also a 1-2 Chinese finish on women's 10-m.  Qian Ren was first at 429.35, Yajie Si second at 377.90 and  Pandelela Rinong of Malaysia third at 371.25.
 
Roseline Filion of Laval, Que., was fifth at 335.20.  Benfeito was 11th overall in the semis and did not advance.
 
"It was more of a struggle for me in the final," said Filion, the winner at the previous stop in London three weeks ago. "I think the big issue for me today is that I wasn’t aggressive and lacked conviction in my diving."
 
Canada ends the competition with one silver and three bronze.  Jennifer Abel of Laval and Pamela Ware of Beloeil, Que., were third on women’s three-metre synchro as were Benfeito and Filion on 10-m synchro on Friday.  On Saturday, Abel added a bronze on three-metre.
 
The sixth and final stop is next weekend in Merida, Mexico.
 
For more information: www.windsorworldseries.com