June
27, 2004
Carolina,
Puerto Rico
– In the last World Cup of the season before the much anticipated Athens
Olympics, Canadian epee fencer Sherraine Mackay of Brooks, Alta., defeated
2001 World Champion, Claudia Bokel of Germany 11-10 in overtime at the Gigante
World Cup in Carolina, Puerto Rico today to capture the gold
medal.
MacKay,
now a 2-time winner of the Gigante World Cup, cruised to victory over Rosanna
Lacarra of
the United States 15-5 and Marie Ramirez of Chilli 15-11 in her first two
matches. In the quarterfinals she went up against Julie Leprohon of Montreal,
Que., and out poked her Canadian teammate 15-11.
In
the semi-finals, MacKay faced 2002 World Champion silver medallist, Imke
Duplitzer of Germany and the energized Albertan proved to be too much for her,
winning the match 15-13 for the second week in a row.
“I’m
injury free for the first time all season and I feel really great going into the
pre-Olympic training!” Shared the 29 year old who is now ranked fifth in the
world.
Due
to a disappointing season, MacKay’s victory was not only a much-needed moral
boost heading into Athens, but she is also $1,200 richer!
“It’s
by no accident that the one World Cup I win all year is the only one with a cash
prize.” Sherraine said with a wink.
Canada
was well represented with Julie Leprohon finishing 5th, Madga Krol of
Vancouver, BC., placing 8th, Marie-Eve Pelletier of Quebec City,
11th and Joanna Guy finishing 17th.
On
the men’s side, American Seth Kelsey won his first world cup defeating Jonathan
Pena of Puerto Rico 15-14 in a come from behind win. The top Canadian results came from Tars
Bakos of Saskatoon, Sask., Tommy Linteau of Quebec, Que. and Igor Tikhomirov of
Toronto, Ont., all finishing in the top 16. Charles St-Hilaire from Quebec finished
in the top 32.
In Olympic news, the Canadian
women’s epee team heading to Athens will be Sherraine MacKay, Catherine Dunnette
of Calgary, Alta., and Monique Kavelaars of Appin, Ont., While Julie Leprohon of
Montreal, Que., has been named the alternate.
Contact:
Geordie
MacKay
CFF Media
media@fencing.ca
www.fencing.ca
www.sherrainemackay.com
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