It has been a big season for Alexandra Gabor, 16, winning medals and setting records in swimming. However, things are now looking even better for the freestyle specialist.
This week the Whitehorse Glacier Bears Swim Club member was awarded senior international carding status by Swimming Canada, the highest carding status a swimmer can reach.
The carding status is a result of her performance on Team Canada at the 2009 World Aquatic Championships last July in Rome.
There, her relay team finished eighth and she cracked the top 50 in world rankings for the 200-metre freestyle (as an individual), which were both requirements for carding. Currently, Gabor is ranked 42nd in the world for the 200-metre free.
In her career, Gabor has broken a total of 57 BC swim records (which include Yukon swimmers), plus 11 Canadian records. In August at the Canada Summer Games, Gabor won four medals, including the Yukon’s first-ever gold medals at the Games, coming in the 400- and 200-metre freestyle events. Before August, the Yukon had only ever won two medals at the Canada Summer Games, both in cycling.
The carding is part of the Athlete Assistance Program, which is devoted to improving the performances of Canadian athletes in international competitions such as the Olympics and World Championships. Through the program Gabor will receive financial assistance to aid with training and travel.
Last year, Glacier Bears teammate Bronwyn Pasloski was carded through the program, but she did not qualify this year.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com