Artistic swimmers continue to push through preliminary rounds to determine if they are in the A or B finals at the Canada Winter Games.
After two days of technical routines, the near-capacity crowds at the Calgary Sport Centre will now be treated to free routines for the rest of the competition. Lasting longer than their technical counterparts, free routines do not include any mandatory technical elements and truly let the athletes express their strength, power and grace.
In the solo free event, Hannah McDonagh Proud (Nanaimo) scored 71.0333 for a combined score of 142.9305 (tech and free swims) and will advance to the A solo finals. Kendall Stirrat (Vancouver) scored 71.1000 for a combined score of 142.6967 and will advance to the B solo finals.
In duets, both of the swimmers scored 71.7333 for a combined score of 143.4881 and will advance to the A final.
"Our swim went really well and we will fix a little bit of synchronization tomorrow," said Stirrat.
Kaitlyn Aylesworth (Victoria) and Mara Lambert-Wilson scored 68.2000 for a combined score of 136.8032 and will swim in the B Finals.
"We swam really well. Our patterns were super close. I think we will work on getting higher on our egg beater and maybe a little sharper," said Aylesworth.
The event takes place in Calgary and team travelled there from Red Deer the day after the Opening Ceremony.
"Even though we are separated, we still feel connected which is really fun because, yeah, we're kind of lonely out here, but not too lonely," said Stirrat.
The Team BC swimmers will compete in duet finals and the team free event preliminaries next.