(Porec, Croatia) Canada had its best finish ever in women’s team foil at the 2013 Junior World Championships, finishing just off the podium in 4th place out of 20 countries. It was a challenging road for the Canadians to make it to the medal round. First Canada defeated China 45-33 to move onto the top 8 round, where they then faced Russia, one of the top teams in the tournament. It took overtime, but the Canadians managed to defeat the Russians 44-43, with Eleanor Harvey once again facing Russian Leyla Pirieva who defeated her in overtime in individual competition. Harvey came out on top this time and Canada moved into the medal round. In the semi-final round, Canada faced number one ranked USA and lost 45-30. Canada then faced France for the bronze medal. Despite leading at times, France came on strong at the end, defeating Canada 45-41. Canada’s women’s foil team was comprised of Alanna Goldie (Calgary, AB), Eleanor Harvey (Hamilton, ON) and Jerrica Gu (Edmonton, AB).

“This year has been a breakthrough year for the Canadian Women’s foil team. We have had 7 international wins this year at North American, Pan Am, and World Cup events. It was unfortunate to lose the bronze medal match to France, we had a lead for most of the match but in the end France’s conditioning was better,” stated Weapon Leader Paul ApSimon. “A fourth place finish in the team event with a victory over China and Russia on the way to the semi finals is an indication that the program is heading in the right direction. The Chinese and Russian teams are professional programs with professional athletes. They have a long history of world and Olympic champions. Defeating these teams is a great confidence booster for Canada.”

The team of Eleanor Harvey, Jerrica Gu, and Alanna Goldie is still young. Gu and Goldie have one more junior year of eligibility left, while Harvey has two. Based on their strong results this season and at World Championships, Eleanor Harvey will start next season ranked 3rd on the junior World ranking, with Alanna Goldie close behind in 4th position.

Just prior to the Team events, Canada had another top 16 finish in Individual competition. Imola Bakos (Blainville, QC) entered the competition ranked 52nd and won her first match against 13th ranked Ukrainian Oleksandra Mamontova 15-12. Bakos then faced German Jasmin Buehrle, winning 15-8 which moved her to the round of 16, where she lost to 4th ranked Ukranian Iryna Schukla 15-8 to finish in 16th place overall out of 85 competitors.

Competition finishes Monday with Canada’s Women’s Saber Team in action in the round of 16.

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For more information, please contact: Caroline Sharp, ed@fencing.ca, (613) 323-5605