2016 Canadian Paralympic Trials: Day 1 Finals Live Recap

2016 CANADIAN OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC TRIALS

• April 5-10
• Prelims: 10 a.m EST
• Finals: 7 p.m EST
• Live Results
• Psych sheets
• Live stream
• Olympic Qualifying Times
• Selection Criteria 
• World Rankings

The first night of the Canadian Paralympic Swimming Trials get going tonight in Toronto, with the 50 free, 200 free, and 400 free on tap. The women’s and men’s 50 free S1-14 Multi-Class finals will start off the session, while the 200 and 400 free will come at the end, after the other swimming events. There were a lot of fast swims this morning including 2015 world champion Aurelie Rivard taking the top seed in both the women’s 50 and 400 free, and 2015 world runner-up Benoit Huot taking the top seed in the men’s 400. With the selection criteria, the Paralympic team (of up to 11 males and 11 females) won’t be named until after the meet. Rivard, a 2015 World gold medallist, has already qualified because of that performance last year.

Women 50 Free PARA S1-14 Multi-Class Finals

1. Aurelie Rivard, 28.04, S10
2. Morgan Bird, 31.76, S8
3. Tammy Cunnington, 52.74, S4

Aurelie Rivard improved her prelim swim of 28.46 down to 28.04 to take the win tonight. That time is the fastest in the world this year among S10 swimmers. Morgan Bird finished 2nd in 31.76, and Tammy Cunnington was 3rd in 52.74. Bird’s time of 31.76 puts her 3rd in the world this year among S8 swimmers, while Cunnington’s 52.74 puts her 3rd in the world as well in the S4 category.

Men 50 Free PARA S1-14 Multi-Class Finals

1. Nathan Stein, 24.07, S10
2. Zack McAllister, 27.73, S8
3. Alexander Elliot, 25.77, S10

Nathan Stein defended his top seed from prelims placing 1st in 24.07. That swim ranks him 1st in the world. He was previously 1st with his time of 24.72 from March. Zack McAllister was 2nd in 27.73, and Alexander Elliot was 3rd in 25.77. McAllister’s time puts him 2nd in the world among S8 swimmers, while Elliot’s time puts him 6th in the world in the S10 category.

Women 200 Free PARA S1-5, S14 Multi-Class Finals

1. Angela Marina, 2:26.24, S14
2. Kristie Kasko, 2:26.72, S14
3. Justine Morrier, 2:30.28, S14

In a very tight final, Angela Marina topped the women’s 200 free in 2:26.24, just ahead of Kristie Kasko who was 2nd in 2:26.72. Marina’s time puts her 8th in the world in the S14 category, while Kasko’s time puts her 10th in the same category. 3rd place finisher Justine Morrier, also in the S14 category, touched 3rd in 2:30.28. Her time puts her 13th in the world this year.

Men 200 Free PARA S1-5, S14 Multi-Class Finals

1. Gordie Michie, 2:03.66, S14
2. Maxime Rousselle, 2:06.28, S14
3. Dalton Boon, 2:08.55, S14

Gordie Michie improved his time of 2:03.81 from this morning, touching in 2:03.66 for the win. His time moves him up from 8th to 7th in the world in the S14 category. Maxime Rousselle was 2nd in 2:06.28, and Dalton Boon was 3rd in 2:08.55. Both are from the S14 category as well. Rousselle’s time from this morning has him 13th in the world, while Boon’s time puts him 18th in the world.

Women 400 Free PARA S6-13, Multi-Class Finals

1. Aurelie Rivard, 4:39.56, S10
2. Morgan Bird, 5:23.09, S8
3. Sabrina Duchesne, 5:27.77, S8

Aurelie Rivard picked up her second win of the night in the women’s 400 free, improving her prelim time of 4:42.11 down to 4:39.56. Those are the top two performances of the year in the S10 category. Morgan Bird took off over four seconds from her prelim time, touching in 5:23.09. That time puts her 2nd in the world in the S8 category. Sabrina Duchesne added a bit of time from this morning, touching 3rd in 5:27.77. Her time from this morning has her 4th in the world in the S8 category.

Men 400 Free PARA S6-13 Multi-Class Finals

1. Benoit Huot, 4:09.89, S10
2. Isaac Bouckley, 4:17.35, S10
3. Zach Zona, 4:45.35, S8

Benoit Huot improved his prelim swim by nearly eight seconds, touching 1st in 4:09.89. That swim puts him 1st in the world in the S10 category. Isaac Bouckley  touched 2nd in 4:17.35, improving his prelim time by exactly two seconds, moving into 2nd in the world behind only Huot. Zach Zona finished 3rd in 4:45.35, over three seconds faster than he was in the prelims. Zona’s time moves him into 2nd in the world in the S8 category.