LONDON – Richard Weinberger of Victoria, BC, got his invitation card to race the 2012 Olympic 10km Open Water course in Hyde Park next weekend following his performances at the 2011 FINA World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai last month.

Weinberger, 21, was Canada’s top performer in the 10km Open Water race in Shanghai, and his 17th place finished earned him a valuable opportunity to race the six lap course for next year’s games.

UVPCS swimmer and Vikes alumni Mackenzie Downing was announced as the flag-bearer for the Opening Ceremonies of the FISU Games in Shenzhen, China, this Friday night.  The Opening Ceremony will launch the start of the World University Games, which is comprised of athletes from over 150 countries, with Canada being represented by 349 athletes, an all-time high for FISUs.

PCS swimmer Stefanie Schmidt is one of 16 swimmers representing BC at the Western Canada Games being held in Kamloops, BC, August 11-14th.  Stefanie was selected to the team based on her performance at the World Championship Trials held in Victoria in March.

Complete results can be found at:
Team BC website: http://teambc.org/games/?8/9/2011%209:07:40%20PM&G=6&G=6
Games website: http://www.2011wcsg.com/

On August 13, 2011, UVic-PCS swimmer Richard Weinberger will be competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games Test Event for Marathon Swimming.  Richard was selected to attend this event based on his 16^th place performance at the 4th FINA World Championships for Open Water Swimming in Shanghai, China in July. 

Two UVic-PCS swimmers, MacKenzie Downing (200 Butterfly) and Nicholas Sinclair (200 Freestyle), are among the swimmers representing Canada at the 25th World University (FISU) Games in Shenzhen, China. MacKenzie Downing, who will be competing in her third FISU Games, will also be Team Canada’s flag bearer for the event. In 2007, she won gold (100 fly), silver (200 fly) and bronze (4x100 medley) medals at these Games.  The Summer Universiade is the second largest multisport event in the world, trailing only the Olympics.

From Magog, Québec, Canada. Zac Parkes, one of Swimming Canada's most promising young swimmers, talks about open water swimming and his future after winning the Traversée Internationale du Lac Memphrémagog 10K amateur race in Magog, Québec today....

Read more and see the video interview with Zac here.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source.

The Canadian Age Group Nationals concluded today with the open water events and PCS swimmers found the podium in both the girls and boys races.

Vicki Mock tied for the bronze in the 14yo girls category in a field of 25. Heidi Ullrich placed 11th in the 13yo girls.

In the boys event, Zac Parkes won the gold medal, taking 1st in the 17-18yo boys category in a field of 30 swimmers. In the 16yo boys event, there were 25 swimmers and Evan Letkeman placed 7th, while Aidan Thirkell finished 9th.

Here are the results from the finals of Day 5:

Ryan Howe finished in 5th place in the 50 FL and reset the 15-17 yo club record again with a time of 26.40.

Zac Parkes came in 7th place in the 400 FR final.

Ryan Howe advanced to the final in 4th spot in 15 yr boys 50 FL. In the process he broke Nick Sinclair's 15-17 club record in a time of 26.66.

Zac Parkes had a very strong morning swim just off his best ever and advances in 2nd for tonight's final.

Stefanie Schmidt first alternate in 400 FR and Rosie Moulton first alternate in 200IM.