2015 Canadian Pentathlon Championships to Be Held in Kitchener-Waterloo and Baden, Ontario August 15-16

Baden, ON — The 2015 Canadian Modern Pentathlon Championships will take place in Kitchener-Waterloo and Baden, Ontario August 15-16, 2015. Over 30 athletes from British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and the USA are expected to compete in the sport consisting of 5 elements: epee fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping and the combined run-laser shoot.The Canadian Championships will feature Olympians Donna Vakalis (Toronto, ON) and Melanie McCann (Mount Carmel, ON), in their first competition after respectively placing 4^th and 5^th in the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games, where Donna Vakalis also earned a coveted berth to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Donna Vakalis, reigning Senior Women’s National Champion, will look to defend her National title. Also competing will be Pan American Games team member Garnett Stevens (Rockland, ON) as well as 17 year old rookie Pan American Team member Hillary Elliott (Ingersoll, ON).

Other Team & development athletes will also compete, including Beatrice Cigagna, (Schomberg, ON ) who recently captured a silver medal in the Team Relay with Garnett Stevens at the first ever Modern Pentathlon University Games in Mexico, and Kelly Fitzsimmons, (Toronto, ON) who recently competed at the World Cup Final in Berlin, Germany.

Baden’s own Evin Ballantyne, male alternate for the Pan American Games, will also vie for top spot in the Senior Men’s division.

The Championships will start with Fencing at the Excelsior Fencing club in Kitchener Waterloo, before moving to Baden for the freestyle swimming at the Wilmot Recreation Complex, followed by the Equestrian Show Jumping & run-laser shoot at nearby Findaway Equestrian Services.

Sunday, the Team Relay will take place at The Wilmot Recreation Complex and Findaway Equestrian Services.

Pentathlon Canada governs the sport of pentathlon in Canada, supporting our provincial associations and national team athletes in building a supportive environment for our sport. Pentathletes compete in five sports – fencing, swimming, equestrian riding, and a combined run and shoot – in a one-day competition.

For more information visit our website at www.pentathloncanada.ca or contact media@pentathloncanada.ca.