The future creative arts, literature and languages college student likes dance, music and water. Saint-Lambert resident Florence Dancause was in her element at the Jeux du Québec synchronized swimming qualifiers presented by her Brossard swim club, Nage Synchro Les Bélugas, on January 20th.

Not surprisingly, Florence earned two places in the 48th Jeux du Québec 2013 winter finals in Saguenay to be held from March 1^st to 9^th. Her team won the teams competition whereas Florence and her partner, Felicia Gorgatchov from Brossard, took the U17 duets title.

“I am really happy. Going to the Jeux du Québec was my main goal. It is a wonderful experience that I absolutely wanted to have. Also, I will be with a group of friends that I adore. We will want to surpass ourselves,” confesses Florence.

A Duet with Chemistry

According to her, the group’s chemistry is behind both the team victory and that of her duet.

“Felicia has a similar physique to mine. We are well-synchronized, even if, during the regional finals, we did not offer our best performance. Felicia is Bulgarian and, in her culture, performance is important. She is very talented.”

The Bélugas earned 6 of the 8 places available for Saguenay. The fact that it was the second year in the category for most of the Bélugas girls definitely helped.

“But we are lucky to be well-trained. We have to make due with reduced pool time, so our coach, Alexandra Lussier, is efficient. There is no time to waste once we are in the water.”

Indeed, the young swimmer believes that the little pool time they get will play against them at the Jeux du Québec. “That is why I am not expecting to earn a spot on the podium. All the better if we exceed expectations,” says the 15-year-old athlete.

Helped by an Olympian

The secondary 4 Collège Durocher student does not have to look far for inspiration. “Chloé Isaac, from the Olympic national team, came to help us quite often (Isaac is from Brossard) before her stint at the Olympics. She is a perfectionist who notices plenty of details. I learned a lot of things from her.”

Although disappointed with the Olympic women’s 4^th place, Florence still draws inspiration from them.

Translated by Stephannie Hamel