Friday, August 11 , 2006
Ottawa’s Cheyanne Farquharson Wins Three Gold Medals in Paddling

Cheyanne Farquharson of Ottawa won three gold medals while Ian Acelvari took two gold and a bronze to highlight a big day for Ottawa’s Rideau Canoe Club on Thursday in sprint paddling at the 2006 Ontario Summer Games.

Farquharson posted victories in kayak singles, doubles with Zoe Korkery and fours which also included Korkery and Mary Fandrey.

‘’I have my sights set on upcoming competitions,’’ said Farquharson.  ‘’And I definitely want to continue with both my paddling and swimming careers.’’

Acelvari was a winner in canoe singles and doubles and was third in fours.  ‘’I wanted to have a strong finish in singles but I never expected to win,’’ said Acelvari.

Alexander Borogin of London posted victories in the men’s K-1 and K-2 with clubmate Kier Johnston.

In the marathon canoe, Carlyn Johnston of Strathroy, Ont., posted victories in singles and doubles with Robyn Perritt of Peterborough, Ont.

It was, at times, a long day for the paddlers.  They struggled and excelled in the rough waters that tipped many boats as well as through the cold breeze and the light drizzle. The event slowed down just before lunchtime when a light rain began. A large thunderstorm was expected but as the front passed quickly, there were no delays.

Other individual sports that got underway Thursday were archery (Keith Harris Stadium), BMX Racing (Ottawa BMX Track), mountain biking (Camp Fortune), sailing (Nepean Sailing Club), shooting (Connaught Ranges), tennis (Rideau Tennis Club) and water skiing (Rideau River at Ecolands Park).

All the team sports started as well with baseball (Carl Faulkner Field, Hamilton Yards, Heritage Park, Kinsmen Field, and Lynx Stadium), basketball (Algonquin College, Carleton University, Confederation High School, Merivale High School and Ridgemont High School), field hockey (Minto Field), rugby (Twin Elm Rugby Park), soccer (Potvin Park and Terry Fox Athletic Facility), softball (Carlington Park, Carriere and Garneau Parks), beach volleyball (Mooney's Bay Beach), and indoor volleyball (University of Ottawa) all for men and women, as well as box lacrosse for men (Earl Armstrong and Merivale Arenas) and field lacrosse for women (Twin Elm Rugby Park).