A group of four Canadian swimmers, at a relatively low-level meet called “Invitation P1-P2 de Noël.” have broken the Canadian National Record in the 200 SCM women’s free relay.
The team of Victoria Poon (24.89), the newest addition Hannah Riordan (24.30), Audrey Lacroix (25.22), and Sandrine Mainville (24.55) combined for a 1:38.96 in the relay. That breaks the old record of 1:41.10.
Poon, Lacroix and Mainville have been swimming for C.N. PPO together for quite some time; the new addition is Riordan, a former Auburn All-American, who moved to Montreal over the summer. She’s originally from Ontario. That broke the decade-old National Record that was set by a group known as the “Toronto All-Stars” back in 2003, where they went a 1:41.10. The names on that relay were Anna Lydall, Jennifer Porenta, Chrissy Macauley, and Laura Nicholls.
All four swimmers train at the Montreal National Training Centre, which this fall has been put under review by Swimming Canada, which could lead to defunding of closing of the centre. Montreal, however, has become a hub for women’s sprinters, as demonstrated by this relay, which should give it at least some hope of a second look in the funding decision making process. This squad could produce 75% or more of Canada’s sprint relay for the 2014 Pan Pac Championships. Canada’s three fastest SCM 50 freestylers this year are all based out of the center.
Hannah Riordan is from Cornwall Ontario