March 6 , 2010

Mandy Moran

MOSCOW- Mandy Moran of Thunder Bay, Ont., placed sixth Saturday in the women’s three-metre final to conclude the second stop on the FINA Grand Prix diving circuit.

Lin Qu of China won the gold medal with Sharleen Stratton of Australia second and her compatriot Annabelle Smith in third.  It was the second straight Grand Prix Moran advanced to the final.  Last weekend in Rostock, Germany she placed fifth.

On Thursday in the semifinals, Moran earned a personal best score and would have established another mark Saturday if not for missing her new dive a front three and half in pike position.

‘’I scored 30 points lower on that dive than last week and still I only missed my personal best overall score by a point,’’ said Moran, a two-time Grand Prix medallist last season.  ‘’I had a very good take-off for that dive then lost my confidence in the middle of it and didn’t finish it well.’’

Still this is a solid start to the 2010 season for Moran.

‘’I’m really pleased where I stand right now,’’ said Moran.  ‘’I had personal bests at both competitions so it’s an encouraging way to go back home to training.  I’m really motivated right now for the rest of the season.’’

The three-stop FINA World Series runs from the end of March through to April.  The next stop on the Grand Prix circuit is the Canada Cup April 29 to May 2 in Montreal.

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