Canadian Sport News (CSN
August 20, 2000

CANADA SECOND IN MEDAL STANDINGS AT WORLD
JUNIOR DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

CALGARY--China won three gold medals Sunday to bump Canada from first spot
in the overall medal standings at the world junior diving championships.

The Chinese end the meet with four gold and four silver. Canada, which had
the spotlight on Saturday with two gold and two bronze, finish at 3-1-2. while Italy took third at 2--2-0.

In the women's 16-18 age group 10-metre tower, Australian Anna McIlwaine
was the winner at 426.87. Adrienne Bell of Pointe-Claire, Que., a bronze
medallist on three-metres Saturday, was fourth and Canadian junior champion
Caroline Lauzon of Montreal fifth.

Bell likely lost the medal on her second of four dives in the final, a back
3 1/2 in tuck position on which she scored mostly 3.0's.

"The top wasn't strong enough and that's why I landed mostly on my back,"
said Bell. "I had been doing it well in practice at home but since I got
here I've struggled with it. I don't know why."

In the women' s one-metre in the 14-15 age group, Bingxuan Zeng of China
took the gold with 341.20 points to prevent Italy's Tania Cagnotto, a close
second at 340.21, of a triple gold sweep. Catherine Brunet of Montreal was
sixth while Melissa Lindenback of Regina was 11th.

In the men's 7.5 metre tower in the 14-15 age group. Qin Kai of China
earned his second gold medal totalling 368.99 points. Julio Abate of
Montreal was seventh and Rueben Ross of Regina eighth.

China finished 1-2 on the men's 16-18 three-metres. Tang Tao was first at
576.00 and Shudi Wu second at 568.38. One-metre champion Phillip Jones of
the U.S., was third. Sean Burnett of Regina 12th.

Canadian medallists this week were Blythe Hartley of North Vancouver with
two gold, Alexandre Despatie of Montreal with a gold and silver, and Nadia
Pelletier of Quebec City and Bell with one bronze apiece.

Medal standings: 1. China (four gold-four silver-zero bronze); 2. Canada
(3-1-2); 3. Italy (2-2-0); 4. U.S. (1-0-4); 5. Australia (1-0-1); 6. Japan
(1-0-0); 7. Mexico (0-2-2); 8. Germany (0-2-1); 9. Malaysia (0-1-0); 10.
Finland and Ukraine (0-0-1).

 Canadian Sport News (CSN

August 19, 2000

HARTLEY, DESPATIE WIN GOLD AT WORLD JUNIOR DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

CALGARY--Blythe Hartley of North Vancouver, B.C., earned a second gold
medal and Alexandre Despatie of Montreal successfully defended his
one-metre crown to cap a superb Canadian performance Saturday at the world
junior diving championships.

Saturday's four-medal intake catapulted Canada into top spot in the medal
standings at three gold, a silver and two bronze. Italy has two gold and a
silver and China, a gold, and three silver. Canada was first in the medal
standings in 1999 with 10 including four gold.

On women's 16-18 age group three-metre, Hartley executed her Olympic list
and totalled 454.69 points. She was also a double gold winner at last
year's world juniors.

Maria Marconi of Italy was second at 423.41 and Canadian junior champion
Adrienne Bell of Pointe-Claire, Que., was third at 419.20.

"This is just a fantastic way to end my junior career," said Hartley,
who'll also compete on the synchronized three-metre event at the Games with
Eryn Bulmer of Calgary. "But there's still room for improvement for the
Olympics. Two of my dives were so-so."

Bell, 17, is not going to the Games however she trains with three-time
Olympian Anne Montminy under coach Yi Hua Li.

"I've learned a lot training alongside Anne," said Bell, with her first
career international medal. "She's really helped me a lot to gain
confidence. My big goal is to go the 2004 Olympics.

On men's one-metre for the 14-15 age group, Despatie, better known for his
exploits on 10-metre tower, was brilliant on all three dives in the final
for 415.78 points to successfully defend his title. Luis Angel Huerta of
Mexico was a distant second at 334.11 and Derek Starks of the U.S., third
at 321.20. Julio Abate of Montreal was fifth.

In the three-round final, Despatie scored his highest marks on his first and third dives with 8.5 and 9.0's out of a possible 10 on a front 31/2
and a back 21/2

"I was very surprised to win by such a large margin," said Despatie, a
silver medallist on three-metres Wednesday and a double champion last year.
"I don't get to practice the one-metre as much any more but it's not a big
adjustment for me to switch from tower to the one-metre. "

On women's 7.5 metre tower in the 14-15 age group, Tania Cagnotto won her
second gold medal of the meet with 378.52 points. Sun Na of China was
second at 318.24 and Nadia Pelletier of Quebec City, a silver medallist
last year, was third at 307.62.

"The field was much stronger than last year so I knew I'd be in tough for a
medal," said Pelletier, who was fourth after the preliminaries. "My diving
still wasn't as good as it could have been but I certainly improved a lot
over my performance in the preliminaries."

Catherine Brunet of Montreal was 10th.

Competition ends Sunday woth four finals.

Saturday's results at the world junior diving championships in Calgary:

August 17 2000

LAUZON AND BRUNET THIRD ON TOWER AFTER PRELIMINARIES AT WORLD JUNIORS

CALGARY--Montreal divers Caroline Lauzon and Catherine Brunet are in third
place after Thursday's preliminaries on the women's the platform in their
respective age groups at the world junior diving championships.

In the 16-18 group 10-metre, Anna McIlwaine of Australia leads at 408.35
points. Wang Guan of China is second at 383.80 and Lauzon, the Canadian
junior champion, is third at 380.40. Adrienne Bell of Pointe-Claire, Que.,
also made the final and is standing ninth. The final is Sunday.

In the girls 14-15 group 7.5 metre tower, Meng Wen Qiao of China leads with
312.80 points, Tania Cagnotto of Italy is second at 309.80 and Brunet, , is
in striking distance of top spot with 303.75. Nadia Pelletier of Quebec
City, a silver medallist last year, is also in the medal hunt at fourth
spot with 286.00. The final is Saturday.

Those were the only events on Thursday's program. Competition resumes
Friday

On Wednesday night, Blythe Hartley of North Vancouver, B.C., successfully
defended her women's one-metre title while her Olympic teammate Alexandre
Despatie of Montreal took silver on three-metres.

On women's one-metre, Hartley, 19, totalled 400.57 points for the win. Her
best dive was her first one in the final, an inward 11/2 which earned her a
string of 8.0s from the judges. Heike Fisher of Germany was second at
386.01 and Liesl Ischia of Australia third at 378.11.

"I think could have dove a bit better but I'm happy to win," said the
Calgary-based Hartley, who'll compete on three-metre and synchronized
three-metre at the Sydney Games next month. "The one-metre is not an event
I've been concentrating on lately. However the lack of preparation is
compensated by the fact I'm competing in my home pool. That's very nice.
"

On men's three-metres for the 14-15 age group, Qin Kai of China was the
winner with 412.34 points. Despatie led up until the third and final round
of dives but botched his back 2/12 in pike position to finish second at
406.27. Luis Angel Hoerta Rosas of Mexico was third at 370.83.

At the world juniors last year Despatie, 15, won both the one and
three-metre springboard titles. "It's a bit disappointing not to win especially since I didn't have a very
good final," said Despatie, who'll compete in his best event- the 10-metre
tower at the Sydney Olympics. "I felt pretty nervous. Dealing with this
kind of pressure should help me for the Olympics."

After preliminaries on men's 10-metre tower for 16-18 age group, Miguel
Velazguez of Mexico is the leader. Canadian junior champion Nicolas
Leblanc of Montreal was 13th missing a berth in the final by one spot. The
final is Saturday.


Wednesday and Thursday's results at the world junior diving championships
in Calgary:

MEN

16-18

10-metre (after preliminaries-top-12 to final): 1. Miguel Velazguez,
Mexico, 465.85; 2. Matthew Bricker, U.S., 464.80; 3. Ken Nee Yeoh,
Malaysia, 440.05; 4. Hugo Parisi, Brazil, 425.75; 5. Yu Terauchi, Japan,
421.65; 6. Christopher Sacchin, Italy, 413.85; 7. Matthew Spinelli,
Australia, 410.40; 8.Gavrilidis Ioannis, Greece, 409.55; 9. Ibirajara
Barbosa, Brazil, 404.25; 10. Jonathin Linette, U.S., 402.10.

Canadians: 13. Nicolas Leblanc, Montreal, 385.65; 17. Kevin Geyson,
Winnipeg, 339.95.

14-15

Three-metre final: 1. Qin Kai, China, 412.34; 2. Alexandre Despatie,
Montreal, 406.27; 3. Luis Angel Hoerta Rosas, Mexico, 370.83; 4. Rommel
Pacheco Marrufo, Mexico, 370.83; 5. Sebastian Heinke, Germany, 336.74; 6.
Javier Juana, Spain, 331.47; 7. Levy Rosalina, Netherlands, 316.91; 8. Brad
Kern, U.S., 313.03; 9. Alexis Coquet, France, 307.89; 10. James Matthews,
Britain, 305.20.

Other Canadian: 19. Julio Abate, Montreal, 249.05.

WOMEN

16-18

One-metre (final): 1. Blythe Hartley, North Vancouver, B.C., 400.57; 2.
Heike Fisher, Germany, 386.01; 3. Liesl Ischia, Australia, 378.11; 4. Maria
Marconi, Italy, 355.90; 5. Lauryn McCalley, U.S., 350.87; 6. Susan
Merdesacker, Germany, 345.64; 7. Adrienne Bell, Pointe-Claire, Que.,
344.71; 8. Lisa Silvestri, U.S., 338.69; 9. Valentina Marcchi, Italy,
336.83; 10. Rebecca Cornthwaite, Australia, 332.65.

10-metre (after preliminaries): 1. Anna McIlwaine, Australia, 408.35; 2.
Wang Guan, China, 383.80; 3. Caroline Lauzon, Montreal, 380.40; 4. Anna
Kiess, Germany, 357.65; 5. Trisha Tumlinson, U.S., 351.45; 6. Christin
Stuer, Germany, 346.60; 7. Valentina Marochim Italy, 335.60; 8. Claire
Febvay, France, 331.70; 9. Adrienne Bell, Pointe-Claire, Que., 327.55; 10.
Tiffany Manning, U.S., 298.70.

14-15

7.5 metre platform (after preliminaries): 1. Meng Wen Qiao, China, 312.80;
2. Tania Cagnotto, Italy, 309.80; 3. Catherine Brunet, Montreal, 303.75; 4.
Nadia Pelletier, Quebec City, 286.00; 5. Sun Na, China, 285.15; 6. Andra
Opinca, Romania, 282.45; 7. Jade Casey, Australia, 279.90; 8. Stacie
Powell, Britain, 274.95; 9. Leanne Rutkowski, Britain, 274.65; 10. Laura
Sanchez, Mexico, 270.05.

Canadian Sport News (CSN

August 16, 2000

CANADA'S HARTLEY WINS GOLD AT WORLD JUNIOR DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

CALGARY--Blythe Hartley of North Vancouver, B.C., successfully defended her
women's one-metre title Wednesday at the world junior diving championships
while her Olympic teammate Alexandre Despatie of Montreal took silver on
three-metres.

On women's one-metre, Hartley, 19, totalled 400.57 points for the win. Her
best dive was her first one in the final, an inward 11/2 which earned her a
string of 8.0s from the judges. Heike Fisher of Germany was second at
386.01 and Liesl Ischia of Australia third at 378.11.

"I think could have dove a bit better but I'm happy to win," said the
Calgary-based Hartley, who'll compete on three-metre and synchronized
three-metre at the Sydney Games next month. "The one-metre is not an event
I've been concentrating on lately. However the lack of preparation is
compensated by the fact I'm competing in my home pool. That's very nice.
"

On men's three-metres for the 14-15 age group, Qin Kai of China was the
winner with 412.34 points. Despatie led up until the third and final round
of dives but botched his back 2/12 in pike position to finish second at
406.27. Luis Angel Hoerta Rosas of Mexico was third at 370.83.

At the world juniors last year Despatie, 15, won both the one and
three-metre springboard titles. "It's a bit disappointing not to win especially since I didn't have a very
good final," said Despatie, who'll compete in his best event- the 10-metre
tower at the Sydney Olympics. "I felt pretty nervous. Dealing with this
kind of pressure should help me for the Olympics."

After preliminaries on men's 10-metre tower for 16-18 age group, Miguel
Velazguez of Mexico is the leader. Canadian junior champion Nicolas
Leblanc of Montreal was 13th missing a berth in the final by one spot. The
final is Saturday.

Competition continues Thursday with preliminaries on women's platform in
both age groups.




Wednesday's results at the world junior diving championships in Calgary:

MEN

16-18

10-metre (after preliminaries-top-12 to final): 1. Miguel Velazguez,
Mexico, 465.85; 2. Matthew Bricker, U.S., 464.80; 3. Ken Nee Yeoh,
Malaysia, 440.05; 4. Hugo Parisi, Brazil, 425.75; 5. Yu Terauchi, Japan,
421.65; 6. Christopher Sacchin, Italy, 413.85; 7. Matthew Spinelli,
Australia, 410.40; 8.Gavrilidis Ioannis, Greece, 409.55; 9. Ibirajara
Barbosa, Brazil, 404.25; 10. Jonathin Linette, U.S., 402.10.

Canadians: 13. Nicolas Leblanc, Montreal, 385.65; 17. Kevin Geyson,
Winnipeg, 339.95.

14-15

Three-metre final: 1. Qin Kai, China, 412.34; 2. Alexandre Despatie,
Montreal, 406.27; 3. Luis Angel Hoerta Rosas, Mexico, 370.83; 4. Rommel
Pacheco Marrufo, Mexico, 370.83; 5. Sebastian Heinke, Germany, 336.74; 6.
Javier Juana, Spain, 331.47; 7. Levy Rosalina, Netherlands, 316.91; 8. Brad
Kern, U.S., 313.03; 9. Alexis Coquet, France, 307.89; 10. James Matthews,
Britain, 305.20.

Other Canadian: 19. Julio Abate, Montreal, 249.05.

WOMEN

16-18

One-metre (final): 1. Blythe Hartley, North Vancouver, B.C., 400.57; 2.
Heike Fisher, Germany, 386.01; 3. Liesl Ischia, Australia, 378.11; 4. Maria
Marconi, Italy, 355.90; 5. Lauryn McCalley, U.S., 350.87; 6. Susan
Merdesacker, Germany, 345.64; 7. Adrienne Bell, Pointe-Claire, Que.,
344.71; 8. Lisa Silvestri, U.S., 338.69; 9. Valentina Marcchi, Italy,
336.83; 10. Rebecca Cornthwaite, Australia, 332.65.