Victoria’s Rachel Kemp reaches final at diving Grand Prix

Rachel Kemp

MOSCOW, Russia – Rachel Kemp of Victoria advanced to the final on women’s 10-metre tower on Thursday to open the third stop on the FINA Grand Prix diving circuit.

Kemp, the world junior championship bronze medallist in the event last year, placed second in the preliminaries and third in one of two semifinals. The top-three from each of the two six-woman semis makes the final.

“Rachel was determined and persistent and did some really good dives,” said Kemp’s coach Tommy McLeod. “She was particularly strong in the preliminaries and hit every dive. In the semis it wasn’t quite as consistent but still very strong.”

Kemp, who turned 16 last month, will vie for her first career Grand Prix medal in Saturday’s final. She has placed fourth three times in her career.

Janie Potvin of Brossard, Que., was 10 th in the prelims and sixth in her semifinal final group and was eliminated. It was the second time in her career she had advanced to the semifinal at a Grand Prix event.

On men’s three-metre, François Imbeau-Dulac of St-Lazare, Que., was ninth in the preliminaries and sixth in his semifinal and was eliminated. It was the first time in his career he made at Grand Prix semifinal.

Competition continues Friday with the prelims and semis in men’s tower and women’s three-metre.

About the FINA Grand Prix
Held since 1995, the FINA Grand Prix is similar in format to the World Cups in alpine skiing and speed skating. This season there are five stops, including the Canada Cup from April 30-May 3 in Montreal, Quebec.

After two FINA Grand Prix's this season, Canada’s medal tally sits at two: (1 Gold, 1 Silver).

About Diving Plongeon Canada
Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC) was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization to promote the growth and awareness of the sport in this country. As a member of FINA, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, DPC contributes to the development of globally accepted standards of excellence in diving and supports the rules and regulations of international competition. Representing nine provincial diving associations, 67 local diving clubs and close to 4,000 high performance athletes, DPC shares a national commitment to advance the art and sport of diving and to position Canada as the number one diving nation of the world.  For information, visit www.diving.ca.

- 30 -