Russell Wins 200 Free at Bell Grand Prix

MONTREAL, July 1. WORLD championship medalist Colin Russell of Burlington, Ont., overcame a recent shoulder injury to win the gold medal in the men’s 200-meter freestyle on Friday to open the Bell Grand Prix swimming competition. Russell led from start to finish to earn the gold medal in 1:51.50. Chad Hankewich of Saskatoon was second in 1:52.97 and Yannick Lupien of Quebec City third in 1:53.17.

“I felt great in the water tonight,” said Russell, 22, a member of Canada’s 800 freestyle relay team that won silver at the 2005 World Championships. “My goal was to improve on my morning swim and I came out on top.”

Chanelle Charron-Watson of Quebec City was also pleased with her showing, clocking 2:01.67 to win the women’s 200 freestyle. Audrey Lacroix of Montreal was second in 2:03.12 and Melanie Bouchard of Quebec City third in 2:03.42.

“I’m very pleased with my race, it was a best time for me,” Charron-Watson said. “The competitive field in this event was very elevated with the Americans and my three Quebec opponents pushing me all through my race. This win has given me great confidence. My goal tonight was to tighten my splits and go for the win.”

Lacroix returned to take top spot in the women’s 50 butterfly in 28.18 with Mackenzie Downing of Victoria second in 28.22 and Jennifer Carroll of Trois-Rivieres, Que., third in 28.32. Other winners included Matthew Huang of Montreal in the men’s 50 breaststroke, Thomas Kindler of Montreal in the men’s 50 butterfly, Lisa Blackburn of Waterloo, Ont., in the women’s 50 breaststroke, and Landice Yestrau of Winnipeg in the women’s 100 backstroke.

This is the second of three Bell Grand Prix meets across Canada this year, after last month’s debut in Vancouver and with another scheduled for November in Toronto. This weekend’s competition offering $22,500 in prize money has attracted about 400 swimmers from North America including two-thirds of Canada’s national team.

MEN

50 breaststroke: 1. Matthew Huang, Montreal, 29.43; 2. Mike Brown, Calgary , 29.67; 3. Michel Boulianne, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., 30.34.

50 butterfly: 1. Thomas Kindler, Montreal, 24.58; 2. Joe Bartoch, London, Ont., 24.78; 3. Dominique Bourdages, Montreal , 25.41.

100 backstroke: 1. David Russell, U.S., 56.51; 2. Keith Beavers, Waterloo, Ont., 58.11; 3. Charles Francis, Montreal, 59.26.

200 freestyle: 1. Colin Russell, Burlington, Ont., 1:51.50; 2. Chad Hankewich, Saskatoon, 1:52.97; 3. Yannick Lupien, Quebec City, 1:53.17.

800 freestyle relay: 1. Bluefish Swim Club, 7:47.70; 2. Team Saskatchewan, 7:49.26; 3. Universite Laval, 7:50.70.

WOMEN

50 breaststroke: 1. Lisa Blackburn, Waterloo, Ont., 33.34; 2. Michelle Laprade, Montreal, 33.98; 3. Marie-Pier Ratelle, Quebec City, 34.26.

50 butterfly: 1. Audrey Lacroix, Montreal, 28.18; 2. Mackenzie Downing, Victoria , 28.22; 3. Jennifer Carroll, Trois-Rivieres, Que., 28.32.

100 backstroke: Landice Yestrau, Winnipeg, 1:04.50; 2. Elizabeth Beisel, U.S., 1:04.55; 3. Elizabeth Pelton, U.S., 1:04.94.

200 freestyle: 1. Chanelle Charron-Watson, Quebec City, 2:01.67; 2. Audrey Lacroix, Montreal, 2:03.12; 3. Melanie Bouchard, Quebec City, 2:03.42.

800 freestyle relay: 1. Toronto Swim Club, 8:22.24; 2. Universite Laval, 8:24.83; 3. Club CAMO, 8:33.16.

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