|
SOLDATI,
QUINN MAKE SYNCHRO 3-METER FINAL APPERANCE AT
14TH FINA WORLD DIVING CUP
|
ATHENS, Greece - Kimiko Hirai Soldati (Magnolia,Texas) and
Erin Quinn (Ankeny, Iowa) marked the last day of the 14th
FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) Diving World
Cup with an appearance in the women's synchronized 3-meter
final. The duo placed seventh with 296.13 points.
The
Indiana University graduates placed fourth in the same event
at the 13th FINA Diving World Cup in 2002. Following the
successful year, Soldati underwent a fourth shoulder surgery,
and Quinn suffered a stress fracture in her back. They were
sidelined for 2003 and did not dive together until the 2004
World Cup Trials in January, a competition they won by more
than 30 points.
China,
Russia and Germany finished 1-2-3. The Russian team of Vera
Ilyina and Yulia Pakhalina are the defending Olympic gold
medallists. Ilyina is a former volunteer coach and Pakhalina
is a former diver at the University of Houston.
The
World Cup concluded with China winning the top two spots
on men's 10-meter platform. Tian Liang and Hu Jia won the
gold and silver, respectively, just as they did in the 2000
Olympic Games. Canada's Alexandre Despatie was third.
Representing
the United States, 2000 Olympian Mark Ruiz (Orlando, Fla.)
reached the semifinal to finish 18th with 476.07 points.
Kyle Prandi (Strongsville, Ohio) was 31st with a score of
341.70.
For
complete results, visit www.usadiving.org.
