BRONZE!

Another medal performance by the men’s 4x200 freestyle relay last night doubled our medal total. That’s right, we’ve got TWO! It was very exciting as each team member stepped up and put up a great swim. Andrew Hurd anchored and held on to a fast approaching British team to clinch the bronze medal. There was some definite concern from us watching in the stands (“I couldn’t watch – I had my hand covering my eyes!” said Audrey Lacroix) as the Aussies and Brits were reeling in Andrew. But he used his endurance on that final lap and came through. Thank god for distance swimmers! That relay is looking like a real medal threat for the Olympics.

This morning I swam my final race by leading off the backstroke leg for the 4x100 medley relay. We didn’t bring a female breaststroker to the meet, so we had Erica Morningstar fill that spot. She was our secret weapon. So secret in fact that even we had no idea how fast she could go. We pulled off a big swim as we were hoping to go under 4:10, and ended up with a 4:06. I took almost a second off of my 100 back race swim (and finally redeemed myself, a little). Erica was a super-stud and swam a 1:09.2. Not bad for a non-breaststroker! And Mackenzie and Julia both finished off the meet in style with great splits. We needed to finish top 12 to qualify Canada a relay spot at next years Olympics, and what do you know, we came 11th! What a relief. So far all our relays have finished top 12 and secured Olympic spots. The men’s 4x100 medley is tomorrow, and hopefully they can continue the streak.

All in all, this meet is officially the worlds fastest swim meet. EVER. And the Canadian team has come through with lots of second swims and two medals, so far. It’s been one of the most fun trips I’ve ever been on, and that’s saying a lot, as I may have been around for a really long time…

GOLD!

What a night we had yesterday! Brent won gold, our first in many years. (I've got to take a little credit here being one of his main training partners... so you're welcome Brent!) Brittany cried (more like bawled) through the whole anthem. And Brian, Erica, Audrey and Mike all had great swims. We are having such a great time at these Worlds. I think the secret to our success can be summed up in two words: Air Supply. I know what you're thinking, we must have all gone a little mad over here (maybe it's the extra gravity since we're technically upside down in the Southern Hemisphere). But Brent requested Air Supply's I'm All Out of Love as the pump-up song to be played during our team meeting to the daily highlights video that Hap creates. And then we had a fantastic night! So I tried it this morning as my pump-up song for my 200 back today and went my fastest ever morning swim. So it clearly works. You should try it too.

“It was the raisin toast!”

Day one of swimming action is underway. In the prelims the men’s 400 freestyle was the most exciting event (that I saw, but I left early). The first two circle seeded heats were quite quick, with a lot of big names in the final heat, including Australia’s hero Grant Hackett. It looked like the final heat slowed itself down as no one took the race out and everyone just stayed with each other. With 50m to go there were six guys turning together, all fighting for spots in the final. Hackett managed to finish second in the heat, but that was only good enough for 8th place overall. He just about missed the final. But I wouldn’t put any money on him tonight as he sure didn’t look good in the water. However he’s a veteran, so you never know. Just goes to show you that anything can happen in this sport.

The Canadians had a strong morning with Mackenzie and Julia both advancing to the semis in their events. I’m taking personal credit for Julia’s best time in the 200 IM, as being the great teammate that I am, I let her have the last piece of raisin toast at breakfast. Ryan had a great 400 free, going a best time. He had a great last 50 to win his heat by a nail. Brittany and Mike also had strong swims, but both just missed advancing.





I didn’t race this morning, so I just warmed up and watched half of heats. The session was supposed to take over four hours! There are 1200 swimmers in the meet, which is insane. And 190 guys in the men’s 50 free! Apparently rumor has it that the more countries that participate, the more money FINA gets from the IOC. So you just have to deal with it. I’m going to stay home tonight and watch finals on TV to rest up for the big event tomorrow. One day until race day…

And the first rule is… there are no rules.

Our first dip into the competition pool was an adventure. You learn one thing really fast at an international warm-up: there are no rules. It’s mass chaos and sometimes even a full-contact sport. I had to kick over 20m underwater on a fast 50 because someone pushed off right in front of me and the only way to get past him was to go under him. But we all managed to survive. The pool is awesome because it’s in an arena and the atmosphere will be even better if the stands are filled. The hype is starting to build around the city as the swimming edges closer. The media doesn’t seem to care much about the other aquatic sports (I’ve barely seen any coverage – pretty much only swimming commercials). However they are going to show every final LIVE on one of the country’s major cable channels. If only Canadian media was that excited about swimming. It’s so nice to be in a country where you’re sport is appreciated. And where their best swimmers are like rock stars. So I guess since I can say that I know some of them personally, I pretty much know some rock stars... like Randy Bennett. (I had to say that to get my $7.50 back. See "special comment" below).

We went and watched the Canadian men’s waterpolo team take on Hungary. It was a bit of a blow out for the Hungarians, who are massive by the way. The coolest part was after each goal they blew fire from four fire-shooters (or whatever they’re called) around the pool. To quote Eugene (the bum-grabber below), “This is so WWF Wrestling!” Very cool.

The Canadian National Champs have begun back at home and we’re all anxiously watching the results come up online. Spots on the FISU team are up for grabs, so we are basically in a virtual competition here. And it really gives us something to do, because we’ve been demoted to only 4 channels on TV. It’s pretty rough, I know.

But in better news, I’ve discovered this country’s best-kept secret - cheesecake yogurt! It’s almost better than the real thing. I just wish I could take some home with me…

Special comment from "big fan"

"Kelly paid me 7.50 to write a comment and correct her grammar, trying to generate more interest."
- Big Fan

We’re here! Finally. We’ve arrived in Melbourne and are all settled in now. We’re in a hotel in busy downtown Melbourne, which is a much different pace than the small-town feel of the Sunshine Coast. And it’s not nearly as hot, which is great for our bodies but not so good for our tans. The hotel is rather fancy and not too far from the pool. The team jokes are currently revolving around how close the beds are pushed together. (We’re talking inches here.) I’m rooming with Julia Wilkinson, who just arrived in Australia yesterday as she was competing at the women’s NCAA championships.

Diving, waterpolo and synchro have all begun to compete, so it’s nice to be a part of Team Canada again. I’m planning on going to watch the Canadian men’s waterpolo team take on Hungary tomorrow night. It should be a rough battle, as the Hungarian team is staying at our hotel and let me just say that some of them are rather large boys. I’ll see if I can “accidentally” trip any of them before the game, all in the name of patriotism.

We haven’t seen the competition pool yet as the synchro has been taking place there so far. We’ve been at training venues around the city but we get to check out the competition pool tomorrow. I had my fastest 50 back in practice today so things are looking good. Four days until race day…




Now for the gossip… Coach Randy is the biggest fan of this blog. Apparently getting a mention/picture here is a hot item. I could make some good money! People are trying to take blog-worthy pictures left right and center.
Somehow Ryan Cochrane and I have not been entered in the meet yet (we aren’t in the psych sheets). Hopefully that gets sorted out soon or I’m going on vacation.
I had a blonde moment when I didn’t get the joke on my door sign. It said “Kelly stef-finishin first…”. I didn’t realize that “stef-finishin” was supposed to be Stefanyshyn. Ha ha, I know, I know, but I’ve never heard that before. Guess you learn something new everyday! But that still isn’t nearly as good as the unnamed coach who put regular gas into our diesel rental trunk. (*Ahem* I meant TRUCK. My bad.) I won’t name names, but let’s just say he’s a big fan of this blog…




Brent Hayden... trying to bring sexy back. Maybe not.

Melbourne bound!

Taper camp is over and tomorrow we’re off, bright and early. We’re all very excited to get this show on the road. Too bad we’ll miss the 10km races, which we have Canadians in (such as Tanya, in the picture to above. Go Hunks!) I would have liked to watch an open water race live.

I’m excited to see the new competition pool. They’ve built a temporary pool in the Rod Laver Arena, which is where they hold the famous Australian Open tennis champs. It’s going to be indoors, which is a relief for a backstroker like me (as much as I love staring at the sun…). I’m just hoping the pool water is much cooler than the outdoor pools on the Sunshine Coast. But I’ve been training pretty well regardless.




There's me, getting ready to train fast, like I said.





In other more interesting news… Brittany Reimer is a big fan on this blog. Who isn’t! Coach Randy Bennett is going to pay me $5 for a mention. I’d say that’s a deal. Ryan Cochrane got food poisoning. Brittany is denying it was her cooking. And the Stefanyshyn vs Johns March Madness family battle is in full swing. Papa Stef took a hit when his final two pick Duke got knocked out in the first round. His response, “Holy unbelievable batman.” Current placings: the Stef’s are 3rd, 5th and 14th, while the Johns’ are 8th, 8th, 13th and 15th.


Eugene - team massage therapist/
strength trainer/
bodyguard. And he likes chick flicks. Who knew.













Coach Randy and team physiologist Thomas. I'm gonna have to charge Randy double for including this photo.







Me, Erica and Ryan, pre-food poisoning.

As the meet approaches, I’m trying to spend less and less time in sun. We swim outdoors everyday so that’s enough sun exposure for me. The competition is indoors, so I don’t need to worry about being used to heat. The challenge is trying to find enough activities to do indoors to fill the time. They have set up wireless internet for us in the hotel lobby, so you can always find a few of us playing on our computers. I brought a few books and lots of movies, but that supply is dwindling. I’m starting to get antsy as we get more rested and seem to have less and less to do. Where’s my euchre-playing teammates when I need them!

I’m not much of a fan of the new pool we’re training at because the water is really, really warm, thanks to the sun. I’m a bit of a reptile and do much better in cold water (maybe it’s because I’m from Winnipeg), so it’s been a bit tricky. But our team physiologist assures me that I will benefit from this as the heat causes my body to adjust and up my blood oxygen output (or something like that) and regardless that will benefit me once I start racing. Sure hope he’s right!

Is that Rick Say in a Stefanyshyn cap? I think so. Lucky guy.

Brent with his new fan club.

and they're off...

The Open Water swimmers leave tomorrow for Melbourne to get ready for their competition which starts in a few days. Tanya and I have watched a movie every night since we got here. Buying all those videos before I left was genius. But I'll have to find a new movie partner when she leaves! We had a team meeting tonight to wish them luck. We watched some motivational videos and played a little game of Canadian Trivia.

I spent a good chunk of my morning off working on my NCAA March Madness Bracket. I'm in a swim team pool, as well as the Stefanyshyn vs Johns family challenge for basketball supremacy. Here's a picture of Brian Johns clearly picking all the losing teams. Good luck Brian, you're gonna need it! Just kidding.

We had separate afternoon practices for the women's and men's teams. This gave us a chance to work together and practice relay takeovers. I wanted to work on my backstroke starts, but the walls are made of tiles and it's nearly impossible to do a start without slipping. I had to tie my equipment bag to the block and use that to hold my feet. It was rather budget but it actually worked (mostly because Eugene was holding it in place). I then used the rest of my creative energy and artistic talent (or lack of...) at our women's team dinner to help make door signs for the men's team. Some of them are pretty funny, especially Ryan Cochrane's (who asked me to say that, by the way).

Brittany and Kelly

Million dollar view!

Look - Eugene and Brent are now twins!

UBC Dolphins swimmers with Centre coach Tom

They don't call it the Sunshine Coast for nothing...

Welcome to my blog! We've been here on the Sunshine Coast for almost 10 days now, getting ready for the World Swimming Championships starting on March 25th. When we first arrived, there was just a few of us swimmers from the west training in town called Maroochydore. The outdoor pool was great and the beaches were even better. We spent the first week getting over the jetlag and adapting to the sun, the heat, and the lack of air conditioning in our hotel. Quite the change from Canada's winter! But we slapped on the sunscreen and just sweated it out. We lived through sunburns, major lightning storms, torrential down pours, and an encounter with a gigantic spider on Brian Johns' swim equipment bag. The rest of the Canadian Team has now arrived and we have moved hotels to one ten minutes away in Kawana Waters. All I can say is welcome back air conditioning!

So life is pretty good as we pretty much just swim, sleep, watch movies and go to the beach. Tonight we have a team BBQ. Hopefully it doesn't rain!