Boudreau wins Canadaâ€™s first Synchro medal

OTTAWA – Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon impressed the world Monday and won Canada’s first medal in solo competition in 15 years.

Boudreau Gagnon won bronze in the Solo Tech finals at the 13^th FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy compiling a final score of 96.000 for her rendition of an Amazon warrior.

This is the 26-year-old’s first medal at a World Championship and Canada’s first in solo since 1994.

“I’m really pleased with my performance, this is a dream come true,” said Boudreau Gagnon, of Riviere-du-Loup, QC. “This is our first medal, but not our last. I am so grateful to my coach, Julie Sauve, and am proud to be on the podium with two Olympic and World champions.”

Sauve has been working closely with Boudreau Gagnon for a number of years and is thrilled for her.

“Marie-Pier’s hard work has been rewarded and her dream has come true,” said Sauve. “I’m so proud of her performance and thrilled to see Canada back on the podium after so many years.”

Russia’s Natalia Ishchenko placed first with a score of 98.667, while Gemma Mengual of Spain was second with a score of 97.833.

Boudreau Gagnon will be back in action Tuesday as she competes in the Combo preliminaries. She will also be swimming in the Duet Free preliminaries on Thursday and competing in the Team Free event.

“Canada is on the right track,” said Boudreau Gagnon. “We’re looking to be back on the podium during these Championships as well as 2012 (Olympics) and this is the first step.”

Canada will swim fifth out of 13 in the Combo preliminaries in a fast-paced, exciting dancing in the streets themed routine.

Canada also competed in the Duet Tech preliminaries Monday and finds itself fifth as Tracy Little, Montreal, QC, and Elise Marcotte, of Ancienne Lorette, QC, posted a score of 94.333.

“We realize we have some technical details to work on prior to the final,” said Marcotte. “But we felt some good energy and the judges seemed to appreciate our choreography.”

Canada will swim tenth out of 12 in the finals Tuesday.

Canada’s Team at the 13^th FINA World Championships

Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon – Solo Tech, Duet Free, Team Tech, Team Free, Combo

Camille Bowness – Team Tech, Team Free, Combo

Jo-Annie Fortin - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo

Sandy Gill – Team Free, Combo (Alternate – Team Tech)

Chloe Isaac – Solo Free, Duet Free, Team Tech, Team Free, Combo

Eve Lamoureux - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo

Stephanie Leclair - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo

Tracy Little – Duet Tech (Alternate – Team Tech, Team Free, Combo)

Elise Marcotte – Duet Tech, Team Tech, Team Free, Combo

Karine Thomas - Team Tech, Team Free, Combo