Canada's Chloe Isaac places third in free program at Brazil Open

Chloe Isaac places third in free program at Brazil Open

RIO DE JANEIRO – Chloe Isaac of Brossard, Que., placed third in the free program in the solo event on Saturday at the Brazil Open synchronized swimming competition.

Canada is fielding its team for the FINA World Championships July 19-August 4 in Barcelona.

Olympic medallist Ona Carbonell of Spain was first tabulating 95.075 points.  Lolita Ananasova of Ukraine was second at 92.625 and Isaac followed at 89.401.

‘’I’ve never done this routine better,’’ said Isaac.  ‘’I really displayed my strengths with my technical elements and expression.  This was a big step for me and now I need to work towards taking it up another notch for the world championships.’’

In the team technical event, Spain posted the top score with 92.000, Ukraine is second at 91.125 and Canada third at 89.000.  The Canadian swimmers were Isaac, Stéphanie Leclair and Karine Thomas of Gatineau, Que., Jacqueline Simoneau of Montreal, Annabelle Frappier of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., Emilia Kopcik of Surrey, B.C., Marie-Lou Morin of Westmount, Que., and Sandy Gill of Coquitlam, B.C.

“As the team captain I was really proud of our performance,” said Thomas.  “The technical routine counts for 50 percent of the final mark so it was important for us to do well here.  Now for the final we want to show we are among the best acrobatic teams in the worlds and keep our energy level high from start to finish.”

Competition ends Sunday with the team and duet finals.  Thomas and Leclair stand third after Friday’s technical program in duet.