Jennifer Abel wins gold, bronze at FINA diving World Series
Vincent Riendeau has best international round by male Canadian diver in a decade
Jennifer Abel achieved two personal bests to go along with two medals, while Vincent Riendeau had the best international round by a male Canadian diver in a decade to complete the third FINA diving World Series meet of 2016 on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Abel, from Laval, Que., won the three-metre synchro gold with partner Francois Imbeau-Dulac and also claimed bronze in the women's three-metre event.
Abel and Imbeau-Dulac, from Saint-Lazare, Que. won with 345.69 points after nailing their closing forward two-and-a-half somersaults double twist to top China's Han Wang and Hao Yang (343.50) and Mexico's Dolores Hernandez and Jahir Ocampo (313.65).
Abel also scored a career-high of 386.50 points in women's three-metre. China's 1-2 punch of Zi He (401.55) and Tingmao Shi (394.05) took gold and silver, respectively.
"I'm exactly where I want to be right now," said Abel, who is headed to the April 22-24 world series meet in Kazan, Russia. "And, once this next competition is done in Russia, I'm looking forward to being at home and getting ready for the Olympics."
Abel in total had a three-medal weekend with a three-metre synchro bronze on Friday with Pamela Ware of Greenfield Park, Que.
The 19-year-old Riendeau, from Pointe-Claire, Que., was fifth in men's 10m with a 491.40 total. China's Chen Aisen (590.15), reigning world champion Qiu Bo (571.25) and Great Britain's Thomas Daley (536.50) held the three podium position, followed by David Boudia (533.05) in fourth.
Riendeau scored 508.45 points in his semifinal to become the first Canadian to exceed 500 since Olympian Alexandre Despatie in 2007. Having the two best rounds of his career in one day boosts his cause to be Canada's first choice to go to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"It was a definitely a big final," said Riendeau.
"I think Canada Cup last week and semis this week gave me confidence that I can be consistent over an entire day. I didn't expect to do that high, to break 500. When all the dives come together in one competition, it makes it all the more special."