Eric Hedlin claims 2nd at Canadian Open Water Trials, qualifies for Worlds

Uvic-Pacific Coast Swimming's open water team traveled to the Cayman Islands this week for the Canadian Open Water Swimming trials. Swimmers Eric Hedlin, Jon McKay, Elijah Agostineli, and Chantel Jeffrey took a trip arond the globe alongside coaches Ryan Clouston and Ian Mattock to compete in a 5km and 10km open water race. 

Eric Hedlin, a two-time world championship medalist in the 5-km event, added another accolade to his resume by winning the silver medal in the 10-km race at the Canadian Open Water Swimming Trials on Saturday. The event, held on Grand Cayman after a four-year hiatus, served as the qualifying competition for the World Aquatics Championships this summer and Pan American Games in the fall. 
Hedlin finished the race in 1:55.27, just behind Eric Brown who claimed the gold in 1:55.24.7. Both men secured their spots on the national team for both major events. Jon Mckay was 5th with 1:56.56.3 and Eli Agostineli placed 11th in 2:04:43.1. Chantal Jeffrey finished 8th overall on the women's side of the 10km race today. 
"I'm happy with how I swam today," Hedlin said. "It was a tough race with a lot of competition."
Hedlin, who trains with UVic-Pacific Coast Swimming in Victoria, said he enjoyed racing on Grand Cayman and appreciated the opportunity to compete in an all-Canadian format.
Hedlin will also compete in the 5-km event on Sunday, along with McKay and Agostineli. He said he hopes to use the race as a second racing opportunity and a chance to improve his open-water strategy. 
"I'm looking forward to swimming another 5-km tomorrow," he said. "It's a different challenge than the 10-km and I want to see how I can do."
Hedlin will be aiming for his third world championship medal in Fukuoka, Japan, after winning silver in 2013 and bronze in 2019. He will also make his Pan American Games debut in Santiago, Chile. Coach Ryan Clouston will be attending World Championhips with Eric as a team coach. Ryan C. [who coaches the Varsity team full time with Peter V.] swam with Pacific Coast Swimming from the age of 12 through to swimming on the Vikes Varsity team. 

Hedlin & Clouston will be heading to Fukuoka, Japan in July to compete in the World Aquatic Championships, followed by Pan American Games in the fall.