TORONTO _ He’s done it many times before but winning never gets old for Benoit Huot.
One of the most decorated swimmers in Canadian history led a Maple Leaf sweep of the S10 400-meter freestyle Tuesday night at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.
The 31-year-old veteran of four Paralympics celebrated like a rookie, raising his arms in triumph after winning the race in four minutes, 10.04 seconds to set a Parapan Games record.
“You never get used to it,” said the native of Longueuil, Que., who was born with club feet. “You are at home . . . family, girlfriend, everyone is here.
“I’m very lucky to be able to live this moment. I was behind the blocks and said ‘Ben, just have the time of your life.’ And this is what I did.”
Huot’s time was about 1.5 seconds faster than what he swam at last month’s IPC World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, where he finished second. That gives him confidence looking towards next year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“All the concerns and the uncertainty that I had in the last six months, now it all makes sense,” he said. “I’m very positive and excited for the next 12 months leading up to Rio.”
Isaac Bouckley, of Montreal, was second in 4:18.75 while Alec Elliot, of Kitchener, Ont., finished third in 4:27.61.
Aurelie Rivard, of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and Katarina Roxon, of Kippens, N.L., also won gold.
The 10 medals increased Canada’s total to 51 (13 gold, 22 silver, 16 bronze). The goal coming into the meet was 80 to 85 medals.
Brazil leads the table with 54 medals (19-14-21).
Rivard won the S10 400-meter freestyle in an America’s record time of 4:33.40 to collect her third gold of the meet and fourth medal. It was a quick turnaround after winning two races Monday night.
“I was really tired and had a short night of sleep,” said the 19-year-old who was born without a left hand. “I was a little nervous before my race but I just gave it my all.”
Samantha Ryan, of Saskatoon, was fourth in 5:07.32.
Roxon won the S8 100-m breaststroke in 1:22.18. Abi Tripp, of Kingston, Ont., was fourth in 1:42.59.
Jonathan Dieleman, the former rodeo rider who broke his back in a dirt-bike accident, earned a silver medal competing in his first major international competition. He was left frustrated by his time of 55.68 seconds in the S3 50-meter breaststroke.
“I was way faster this morning,” said the Vancouver, B.C., resident, who swam a Parapan record time of 54.57 seconds during the morning heats.
“About three-quarters of the way down the pool I screwed up on one of my strokes and swallowed a bunch of water. I just couldn’t catch up.”
Jean-Michelle Lavalliere, of Montreal, had some anxious moments in the S7 200-m individual medley.
He finished second in 2:49.12 but it was announced he was disqualified for a non-simultaneous touch. That was later overruled and Lavalliere received his second silver of the meet.
The experience was an emotional roller-coaster.
“I was really happy, then a bit down, then happy again,” said the 24-year-old who has cerebral palsy. “I still had eight races to go so I had to move on really quickly.
“I was proud of the way I raced that race.”
Canada picked up a silver and bronze in the S7-8 200-m IM. Tess Routliffe, of Caledon, Ont., was second in 3:07.23 while Camille Berube, of Gatineau, Que., was third in 3:07.36.
There were five Canadians in the final. Tripp was fourth in 3:07.93; Sarah Mehain, of Montreal, fifth in 3:10.11 and Sabrina Duchesne, of Quebec City, seventh in 3:14.62.
Zach Zona, of Waterford, Ont., was third in the S8 200-m IM in 2:44.76.
Nicolas Turbide, of Quebec City, earned his third medal of the Games when he finished second in the S13 50-meter freestyle during the morning session.
The 17-year-old visually impaired swimmer cleared a mental hurdle with this time of 25.98 seconds.
“It was mind barrier going under 26 (seconds) for the last year,” said Turbide, who previously won two gold medals. “Doing it today, in the morning, gives me hope for the next year.”
Tyler Mrak, of Aldergrove, B.C., was fifth in 27.00 seconds.
The competition has attracted 228 athletes from 19 countries to the Parapan Am Aquatic Centre and Field House. For full results go to http://results.toronto2015.org/PRS/en/swimming/schedule-and-results.htm.
In other results:
_ Nydia Langill, of Mississauga, Ont., was fifth in the S6 100-m breaststroke in a personal best time of 1:53.93.
_ Zack McAllister, of Lethbridge, Alta., was fifth in the S8 100-m breaststroke in 1:26.16 while Chris Sergeant-Tsonos, of Kingston, Ont., was sixth in 1:32.41.
_ Tammy Cunnington, of Red Deer, Alta., was fourth in the SB3 50-m breaststroke in 1:22.85.
_ Scott Patterson, of Vancouver, was fifth in the S6 200-m IM in 3:39.20 while Danial Murphy, of Bedford, N.S., was seventh in 4:15.05.
Swimming news courtesy of Swimming Canada.
