February 13, 2024
Photo Credit: Diving Canada/Francois Mittens
Five Saskatchewan athletes at World Aquatics Championships
Regina’s Kenzie Priddell and Blaire McDowell, Saskatoon’s Sydney Carroll and Blake Tierney, as well as Pike Lake’s Rylan Wiens travelled from Saskatchewan to represent Canada at the World Aquatics Championships from February 2-18, in Doha, Qatar.
Wiens competed in the men’s 10-metre platform diving event and placed ninth in preliminaries with 415.96 points. He advanced to the semifinals, placing fourth with 456.95 points and concluded his time in Qatar with 489.20 points in the final, which qualified Canada a spot in the men’s 10-m single platform event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The individual that will fill the role is still to be determined.
Wiens also competed with partner, Nathan Zsombor-Murray, and the pair qualified Canada for the Olympics in the 10-m synchronized event with 388.20 points and a fifth-place finish. The two will represent Canada in Paris this summer.
Representing Canada’s artistic swim team, Carroll and Priddell placed ninth in the mixed team free routine preliminaries, with 268.5854 points and advanced to the finals where they placed seventh with 263.3980 points, earning Canada at spot in the Olympics. Those who will represent Canada at the Games will be determined at a later date.
McDowell with Canada’s women’s water polo team finished competing in the round robin 2-1 in Group D, after they lost 12-8 to Italy. In quarterfinal action, Canada lost 12-9 against Spain, which leaves Spain and Canada competing against each other for the last available Olympic spot based on their results as the Championships continue. Canada will compete in the women’s classification 5-8 match on Feb. 14 against Australia.
Tierney, who is still to compete, will take to the water later this week in multiple swim events.
Fish to join ISU World Speed Skating Championships
Moose Jaw speed skater, Graeme Fish was selected to join the ISU World Speed Skating Championships, held from February 15-18, at the Calgary Olympic Oval.
Fish is set to compete in the 10,000-metre race. The championship is being held for the first time at the Olympic Oval since 1998 and will play host to the world’s best speed skaters.
Lightfoot takes home two medals
Wyatt Lightfoot, who hails from Wilcox, competed at the 2024 Yonex Canadian Senior Para-Badminton Championships from January 31 to February 3, in Vancouver.
In the men’s singles SH6 round robin, Lightfoot started strong defeating Émilien Langelier 2-0 (21-1,21-15) before he lost back-to-back in the final two rounds. He made a comeback earning two medals, a gold in the men’s double SH6 and silver in the XD mix SH6 match.
Detailed game results can be found at Badminton Canada.
Dornstauder and Canada qualify for Paris Olympics
Quinn Dornstauder, from Regina, joined Team Canada in action at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament from February 8-11, in Sporon, Hungary.
Canada started the tournament strong, defeating Hungary 67-55, before losing 60-55 to Spain, as well as their final game 86-82 loss to Japan, placing third overall in the tournament.
Canada was one of three teams to qualify for the Olympics.
Rivalry Series concludes with a high
Saskatoon’s Emily Clark and Sophie Shirley helped bring Team Canada three back-to-back wins to conclude the Rivalry Series.
The Saskatchewan duo had a memorable homecoming February 7 in Saskatoon, for game five of the series and defeated the United States 4-2 and continued their streak, winning 3-0 in Regina on Feb. 9, with Clark scoring the second goal of the game.
Team Canada finished the series on a high, dominating the States 6-1 on Feb. 11, in Minnesota.
Veeman brings home two medals from World Junior Championship
Saskatoon product, Luca Veeman attended the World Junior Championship from February 9–11, in Hachinohe City, Japan.
Veeman helped Canada to their first gold in team pursuit with a time of 3:49.25, as well as to a silver after racing a time of 1:23.20, in the team sprint event.
Jay, Thomaidis named to Germany’s coaching staff for Olympics
Saskatoon’s Lisa Thomaidis and Connor Jay have been named to the coaching staff of Germany’s women’s basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Thomaidis will be Germany’s head coach and Jay will attend as assistant coach. This is Thomaidis’s fourth time attending the Games, but the first time not with Team Canada.