Caeli McKay believed until the final round but was narrowly beaten and escaped the bronze medal in the women's 10-meter individual at the Diving World Cup in Montreal on Sunday.
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“Honestly, I'd rather come fourth when everyone did their best than come third when someone made a mistake,” the adopted Montrealer told the media.
She was Canada's last hope for a podium finish, but Great Britain's Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix beat her with an excellent final jump, giving her a total score of 384.70, compared to 383.10 for McKay.
“It was very close. Fourth place is a bit interesting, but I can't be mad. “This is my best international result,” said the 24-year-old from Calgary. To achieve that at home in front of such a loud crowd is incredible.”
“It's not easy to stay on your feet on the 10-meter platform when there's so much noise!” she added.
Chinese dubbed
It was the only excitement of this last event of the weekend, as the first two steps were already reserved for China. It remained to be seen who, Chen Yuxi, 18 years old, world and Olympic runner-up, or Quan Hongchan, 16 years old and winner at the Tokyo Olympics, would triumph.
Ultimately, it was Chen (415.35) who took top honors, despite the perfect scores achieved by Quan (411.45) on his fifth jump.
“I’m super happy,” said McKay, who has lived in Montreal for eight years. I know I had a reaction when I saw I came in second so soon after my last dive. It’s a little frustrating to be so close, but I’m super proud of myself.”
Fourths synchronous
The day before, McKay and compatriot Kate Miller also placed fourth in the 10-meter synchronized event, an event Quan and Chen won.
“I was a bit disappointed with my fourth dive yesterday [samedi] and today [dimanche]“It was one of the best in my competition, so I couldn't ask for anything better,” analyzed McKay.
Miller, an 18-year-old Ontario native, finished eighth in the 10m individual (295.85), while Montreal-born Italian Sarah Jodoin Di Maria was fifth (331.45).