Victoria’s Riley McCormick top Canadian at U.S., Grand Prix

May 7th, 2010

Riley McCormick

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Riley McCormick of Victoria finished eighth overall on Friday on men’s 10-metre tower at the U.S., Grand Prix diving competition.

McCormick, already an international veteran at 19 with an Olympics and three world championships under his belt, was ninth in preliminaries then placed fifth in his semifinal heat. The top-three in each of the two semifinals advanced to Sunday’s final.

Marc Sabourin-Germain, 16, of Mascouche, Que., was 19 th in the preliminaries in his third career Grand Prix.

“This is Marc’s first year on the circuit and he dove with a lot of confidence, ” said Sabourin-Germain’s coach Aaron Dziver. “He didn’t hold back and really went for it which is one of our big goals.”

On women’s three-metre, both Canadian entries did not get past prelims. Pamela Ware, 17 of Montreal was 19 th and Mandy Moran of Thunder Bay, Ont., 22 nd.

“This is the first time Pamela has competed individually at a Grand Prix outside of Canada,” said Dziver. “She’s getting a great experience training and competing with some of the best divers in the world. Although there’s a disappointment about today, she knows she belongs here and will have more opportunities.”

Competition continues Saturday with Canadians in three finals. Rachel Kemp, 17, of Victoria and Carol-Ann Ware, 19, of Montreal hunt for medals in women’s 10-metre tower while François Imbeau-Dulac, 19, of St-Lazare, Que., is in the men’s three-metre final. The Ware sisters will also compete in the women’s 10-metre synchro final.

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