Former Canadian national teamer Kristina Steins continued to tear up the record books on the third and final day of Latvian Nationals, completing a sweep of the backstroke events and breaking yet another national record. She’s broken 3 on the week, and broke each mark in both prelims and finals.
Steins has previously competed for Canada internationally, but the Latvian federation’s meet recap seems to indicate that her times will count as Latvian national records, suggesting that she has switched her nationality.
After winning the 100 and 200 backs earlier in the meet, Steins took the 50 back title while dropping the national record below 30 seconds for the first time in history.
Steins went 29.74, taking the win over Estonia’s Sigrid Sepp. Latvia’s Arina Baikova was also under the old record, going 29.98 to become the second Latvian national under 30 seconds in the race.
One of the other major highlights of the meet has been breaststroke showdown between Latvia’s Nicholas Maskalenko and Sweden’s Johannes Skagius, and that battle ended with a 50-meter race as well.
After the two tied for the win in the 100, the Latvian national record-holder Maskalenko topped Skagius in the 50, going 28.14 to the Swede’s 28.45. Skagius is a European Junior record-holder for Sweden, and a rising star in international swimming.
Way to GO Kristina ! Still have the pics of you swimming in our pool on Chapel Street — Keeping them safe and secure to share with you someday !! Our love and very best wishes to you my DEAR ! You have worked so hard and sacrificed so much — You deserve to set the world on FIRE !
What a wonderful result for Kristina. I have been assisting athletes in Canada for a decade attempting to get them noticed, to find sponsor funds and while all were on either the Jr or Sr Canadian Teams in their respective sports, there was little to no financial support. It saddens me that Kristina has to find a new Country to help and support her evolution as a competitor and that Canada doesn’t seem to recognize great talent in the development phase of their careers. Regardless, we are VERY proud of this local resident, proud that she is Canadian and if she ends up racing for Latvia – her birthright… then bravo! All the best and well done Kristina Steins.