Canadian Women Claim K4 Gold Medals at Pan-Am Games

The Canadian Women’s K4 team claimed gold medals yesterday at the Pan American Games on Wednesday.

Kathleen Fraser of Oakville, Ont., Ottawa’s Kristin Gauthier, Alexa Irvin of Kentville, N.S., and Una Lounder of Dartmouth, N.S., finished first in the K4 500 in one minute 37.724 seconds.

(L-R) Una Lounder, Kristin Gauthier, Alexa Irvin
and Kathleen Fraser of Canada pose at the podium
after receiving their gold medal in women's kayak four K4 500m
at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara October 26, 2011.
Photograph by: Mariana Bazo, Reuters

“It was a really good race,” Lounder said. “At the end, we weren’t even sure if we won, and we were so excited when we saw it was gold.

“I raced in the K4 last year at the Pan Am championships and finished out of the medals, so I’m happy with this result. This is really great to start off on a high note and we are looking forward to cheering on the rest of the team.”

Mexico grabbed the silver in 1:37.799, while Cuba won the bronze in 1:39.105.

Postmedia News - October 26, 2011

2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara (Mexico)

The Pan-American Games occur every four years on the year before the Olympic Games. This year it will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico Games from 14 – 30 October 2011. it is the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics. More than 6000 athletes from the Americas will be participating in 36 different sports. Several thousands of spectators are expected to take in the sports programmes and activities surrounding.

Canoeing competitions at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara will be held from October 26 to October 29 at the Rowing and Canoeing Course in Ciudad Guzmán. Canoe Slalom will not be held. This is the first time that our Continental Games (Pan American Games) will also serve as a Continental Olympic Qualifier.

Source : here