Barbara Jardin of Montreal highlighted a big medal day for Canada at the U.S., Grand Prix swimming competition on Saturday with a victory in the women's 400-metre freestyle.
Jardin clocked four minutes and 09.17 seconds reeling in compatriot Samantha Cheverton of Pointe-Claire, Que., while staying ahead of American Kathleen Ledecky. Ledecky wound up with the silver in 4:09.30 and Cheverton was third in 4:09.56.
Brittany MacLean of Etobicoke, Ont., was seventh.
`'It was a big win for me," said Jardin, 20. `'Ever since 2008 I've been trying to improve the last length of my race. It's always been my weak point. To finish ahead Samantha and Brittany who are such strong finishers feels really good."
Canadians swept the medals in two races.
In the men's 400 freestyle, Olympic and world championship medallist Ryan Cochrane of Victoria took the gold in 3:53.47 edging Keegan Zanatta of Victoria second in 3:53.60 and Kier Maitland of Edmonton third in 3:56.18. Alec Page of Victoria was sixth and Hassaam Abdel-Khalik of Etobicoke, Ont., eighth.
`'I wasn't happy with my race," said Cochrane. `'But I'm keeping my focus on the big picture."
The event is serving as a warmup for the Olympic trials March 27 to April 1 in Montreal.
In the women's 200 breaststroke, Tianna Rissling of Medicine Hat was first, Jillian Tyler second, Mariya Chekanovych of Burnaby, B.C., third and Ashley McGregor of Pointe-Claire fourth.
`'It was almost a best time," said Rissling. `'I've been working a lot on my technique and that seems to be coming together."
In other women's races, Katerine Savard of Quebec City was third in the 200 butterfly with Mackenzie Downing of Whitehorse fourth, Audrey Lacroix of Montreal fifth and Noemie Thomas of Vancouver eighth.
Julia Wilkinson of Victoria added a bronze in the 100 backstroke with Hilary Caldwell of Surrey, B.C., fifth, Sinead Russell of Oakville, Ont., sixth and Dominique Bouchard of North Bay, Ont., seventh.
Victoria Poon of Montreal was fourth in the 50 freestyle with Sandrine Mainville of Montreal seventh.
On the men's side, Stefan Hirniak of Victoria took bronze in the 200 butterfly with Zack Chetrat of Oakville, Ont., fourth, Mack Darragh of Oakville sixth and Page seventh. Charles Francis of Montreal and Tobias Oriwol of Toronto were sixth and eighth in the 100 backstroke.