Melanie Rinaldi qualifies in second for three-metre final at diving Grand Prix

Melanie Rinaldi

MOSCOW, Russia – Melanie Rinaldi of Montreal advanced to the final on women’s three-metre springboard on Friday at the third stop on the FINA Grand Prix diving circuit.

Rinaldi, 29, took third spot in the preliminaries and was second in her semifinal to advance to her first Grand Prix final since 2002. Her semifinal score was also the second best of the day to put her in strong contention for a first career Grand Prixmedal in the event.

“I haven’t done that many Grand Prix but this is definitely my best performance so far,’’ said Rinaldi, sixth in the event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. ‘’I had a very steady competition and replicated what I’ve been doing in practice. For the final, I know there are a couple of dives that can be even better.’’

Rachel Kemp of Victoria was fifth in the prelims and sixth in her semifinal heat and did not advance. The top-three from the two semfinals advanced to Sunday’s championship round. It was Kemp’s first senior international competition on three-metre. The 16-year-old advanced to the 10-metre tower final on Thursday.

On men’s tower, Nicholas Lachanche of Greenfield Park, Que., balked on his final armstand dive in the preliminaries and placed 14 th. The top-12 advanced to the semis.

“I felt some stress on the armstand dive,” said Lachance, 21. “So it didn’t go very well. But still I was pleased with the five other dives on my list. Technically all my dives went the way I wanted them too. There were lots of positive elements for me.”

Competition continues Saturday featuring Kemp in the women’s tower final.

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.

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