BEIJING.AUG.12.2008Canadian women's synchronized 10m platform pair Roseline Filion,top, and Meaghan Benfeito,lower, placed seventh in the event won by the Chinese.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Montreal's Meaghan Benfeito won a bronze medal in the women's tower event Saturday on the first stop of the FINA World Series diving circuit Saturday.
China's Ruolin Chen was first with 448.40 points while compatriot Kang Li was second with 390.70. Benfeito, who was fourth in the event at last year's world championships, followed at 382.50.
It was a busy day for Benfeito. She competed in the 10-metre preliminaries in the morning, the three-metre synchro final in the afternoon and the tower final in the evening.
"I wasn't sure I would have enough energy to keep pace in the 10-metre final," said Benfeito. "But I was able to keep it all together and it went extremely well.
"When I have a big day like that ahead it's important for me to stay calm and make sure I have a day plan and follow it through."
China's Qin Kai won the men's three-metre event. Three-time world champion Alexandre Despatie of Laval, Que., competed for the first time since last summer's world championships and placed sixth despite being second after the semifinals.
"The final didn't go the way I wanted," said Despatie. "My level of concentration wasn't as strong.
"I think that was due to the fact that I haven't competed much lately, especially at this level. The good news for me is that I'm back on the circuit and right now I'm trying to look at the big picture."
It was Despatie's fourth competition since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He has battled injuries the last few seasons, especially with his back.
"I'm still living with my back problems, but it's under control," said Despatie. "It isn't an ideal situation and before I start working on new dives I need to be pain free.
"Right now I just need to keep training and take care of my health and I'll be heading in the right direction."