With the comeback of veteran Sun Wenyan, China performed strong and solid in the free combination while Canada booked two gold with Jacqueline Simoneau in solo free routine and highlight routines. This was the main outcome of the second day of the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series, taking place this weekend in Beijing (CHN).
Cheered up the local fans, China showed the same theme – “Stormy Ocean” -, that had provided its first-ever world crown in Budapest 2017 in the free combination, and claimed the gold with 94.9000 points. Team Ukraine finished second with 86.2667.
Sun, who left national team for two years, made her comeback at the end of 2018 and felt like she never left.
"I am in a very good shape, a better one than in the past. I feel more powerful and stronger and I am happy to come back to the national team. Since the free combination time has changed from four and a half minutes to four minutes, we changed some choreography from the original routine. The renovated version is more difficult and intensive, and the moves were faster. We did a good job today", Sun smiled.
Wang Jie, head coach of team China, considered: "It is our first show of the year. I am satisfied with my girls since the ‘Stormy Ocean’ was not our training focus right now. It was just a test to prepare for the World Championships".
Jacqueline Simoneau continued winning streak as she dominated the solo free routine with 90.4333. Nevena Dimitruevic of Serbia took the silver in 78.1000.
"I am happy with my solo performance. As the first event held in the morning, I got up at 6:15am and the most difficult thing was not the competition but to decorate my hair with jelly. It took me about 30 minutes to makeup and make perfect hairstyle", Simoneau confessed.
In the highlight routine, Canada showed a creative and energetic new generation and topped with 89.1000. France performed a joyful Cancan in the water and scored 86.9333.
Three finals will take place on May 6 - mixed duet free, duet free and team free routine. The final gala show will be the bonus of the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series.