RAINY DAY MEDALS IN MONTRÉAL!
Montréal, July 10, 2023 – Four finals were held in the rain on Monday at the Junior National Diving Festival in Montréal. However, the challenging conditions did not prevent the athletes from performing brilliantly at the Parc Jean-Drapeau Aquatic Complex.
Christopher Booler’s day got off to an excellent start in the boys’ Group A 3-metre event. Having amassed 466.30 points in the preliminary rounds, Booler, who trains with the Pointe-Claire Diving Club, hoped to maintain his lead all the way to the big final. And maintain it he did! His final total of 521.90 points earned him the top spot on the podium.
“All year, my goal has been to come here and perform well. I’m really proud of myself! I was a bit nervous before the final, but I just wanted to keep my cool and focus on what I had to do,” said Booler. “I didn’t let myself get distracted. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I just wanted to do my best and apply what I had practiced with my coaches.”
The silver medal went to Ernest Braitenbach (Calgary, 502.15) and the bronze to Nigel Chambers (Forest City, 500.00).
Just a few minutes later, Sonya Palkhivala, who also trains with the Pointe-Claire Diving Club, won gold in the girls’ Group A 1-metre event. Her strong start and consistency in the final earned her a total of 462.70 points.
“I feel really great and really proud!” said Palkhivala, who was thrilled to be able to share the moment with her friends and family, who were in attendance.
Although her excellent performance in the preliminary rounds increased the pressure she felt going into the final, she succeeded in overcoming her nerves very effectively.
“Some people feel extra confident in that type of situation, but for me, it just increases the pressure. I just wanted to do my best, so that’s what I did. It’s a great confidence boost for my next competitions,” added the gold medallist, who also won one gold and two silver medals at the Junior World Championships last December.
Aislinn Zuechner (TDA) won the silver medal today with 409.70 points, while Laurie-Anne Savard (CAMO) won bronze with 399.45 points.
Lisé-Coderre does it again
Claude-Olivier Lisé-Coderre (CAMO) picked up right where he left off at last year’s Junior National Diving Festival, having won two gold medals in 2022.
In the boys’ Group B 1-metre final today, he finished with 416.25 points, securing the gold medal with a lead of only 0.75 points over Dean Calfacacos (Pointe-Claire). Arnaud Corbeil, also of CAMO, completed the podium with 410.85 points.
“There wasn’t much room for error! It was stressful, but I tried not to think about it,” said Lisé-Coderre. “I’m relieved and I feel great. After working hard all year, it’s nice to do well at an important competition.”
Having made the switch to Group B this year, the Québécois approached the competition differently than last year.
“I just wanted to make it to the finals and do well, to take it one dive at a time. In the end, I won a medal and qualified for the Junior Pan-American Championships!”
In the girls’ Group B platform final, Lila Stewart earned first place with 342.70 points. The diver from Regina edged out Lila Gokiert (Calgary) and Amélie Bayol (CAMO), who finished second (320.90) and third (298.70), respectively.
“I was really nervous coming here! But it feels great to step onto the podium and to show everyone what I’m capable of,” said Stewart.
Today’s rain raised the degree of difficulty in the finals, and the new champion is pleased to have been able to rise to the challenge.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it’s important to be able to adapt to different conditions. Despite the rain, I dove well. I had my sights set on the gold medal, and I’m happy to have achieved my goal.”
The Junior National Diving Festival will continue on Tuesday, with the girls’ Group A 3-metre and boys’ Group A platform events.
For the complete schedule or to view the competition, click here.