DSSC Masters Team Wins Silver at XIII FINA World Masters

After training arduously for over a year, the Durham Synchronized Swimming Master’s team flew to Goteborg, Sweden to compete in the XIII FINA World Masters Championship 2010 (synchronized swimming division August 2-6, 2010). Aside from synchronized swimming, this competition featured various water sports such as water polo, competitive swimming and diving. Joining a league of international  athletes, the DSSC Master’s Team, lead by Head Coach Holley Lundmark, arrived in Goteborg few days prior to competition in order to acclimate to the new surroundings and resume their training schedule at the Aby Swimming Arena before the official commencement of the meet .

Up until the first day of competition, the DSSC Masters team were unsure of the calibre of the other international teams and were segregated from them during practices. Competition was fierce. The Slovakian team, a former National team, was the favoured competitor. Practicing five to six times weekly, the Slovakian team set their sights on gold settling for nothing else. Concerned on how they would place against this formidable opponent the DSSC team doubled their efforts during their three hour a week practice schedule.Other teams of concern were the Toronto Synchro team as well as teams from Quebec. In order to be a medal contender the DSSC Master’s team knew they would have to perform a perfect swim.

The competition began with the Duet and Team Technical categories. Representing DSSC in Technical Duet was the duet team of Jenilee Keslering and Lindsay MacLean, coached by Holley Lundmark. Shining in the water they placed third in the Technical Routine category, ranking high amongst 33 competitors. Later that same day, in a nail biting performance during the Technical Team category, the DSSC team, consisting of Captain Jenilee Keslering, Kirsten Femson, Lindsay MacLean, Lauren Lepage, Laura Mouck, Amy Levine, Meaghan Hartwell and Melissa Dermody finished with stellar results placing third overall out of 22 competitors. Inspired by these results , these women set a goal to finish the competition in the gold or silver position.

Two days later, the Duet Free meet was held. Winning a Bronze medal for Canada, the duet team of Jenilee Ke slering and Lindsay MacLean beamed with pride and accomplishment as the medals dangled from their necks while posing for photographs.On the final day of competition the Team Free event was featured. The final tallies from the routines for this event and the technical event comprised 50 percent each of the final score and would be combined to calculate the final medal standings. Keenly aware of the importance of this last event every team performed wonderfully. DSSC took to the water in the second last position on the roster . With spirits soaring high and perfect smiles the Masters team put everything they had into an emotional and intense final performance of their “chase” themed routine. As the audience erupted, the DSSC Master’s team knew they swam a flawless performance. Elated the team left the deck assured that they gave the performance of a lifetime. Following DSSC the Slovakia team swam and had a good performance but they were no match as DSSC overshot them by two points in this category. When the final results were revealed the Slovakian team narrowly won Gold by approximately 0.5 points  and the Durham Synchronized Swimming team captured the Silver medal.

 Leaving Sweden on a high note, the Masters team was extremely satisfied with their accomplishments. The team and coach had an incredible and memorable time during their stay in Sweden. Encouraged by their Silver medals they look forward to another medal winning performance when they travel to Italy to compete in the FINA XIV World Masters Championships 2012.