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| Perdita Felicien, right, crosses the finish line to win the women’s’ 400 meter hurdle finals during the 2010 Canadian Track and Field Championships in Toronto on Saturday, July 31, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette |
TORONTO - There’s something about the feel of the local track beneath her feet, and the familiar faces of family and friends in the stands that brings out the best in Perdita Felicien.
The former world indoor and outdoor champion captured her ninth 100-metre hurdles title at the Canadian championships Saturday, edging rival Priscilla Lopes-Schliep in a battle between two of the world’s best.
"I take a lot of pride running at home, I don’t get a lot of opportunity," Felicien said. "And when you get ’P’ versus ’P,’ you’ve got to bring your ’A’ game."
Felicien crossed in 12.72 seconds in the marquee event that had been hyped like a heavyweight prize fight between the two rivals, who raced in identical electric pink singlets.
Lopes-Schliep, the Olympic bronze medallist from Whitby, Ont., was the first out of the blocks, but faded to 12.75.
"Hard-fought, probably one of the closest margins in a long time," said Felicien, who holds the Canadian record of 12.46 and has the fourth fastest time in the world this year.
Felicien, who turns 30 on Aug. 29, said despite the dozens of times she’s sprinted down tracks on the world’s stage, the Canadian championships were still packed full of pressure.
"This week has probably been the most affected I’ve been, I can compare it to preparing for an Olympic Games or even a world championships where you’re the favourite, I kind of felt that here," Felicien said.
And her competition is certainly no slouch ? Lopes-Schliep, 27, is the second-fastest in the world this year.
"Priscilla has probably been the most consistent hurdler on the circuit for the past two or three years, and that’s something that’s really hard to do," Felicien said. "When you beat out Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, multi-medallist on the world stage, yeah, you feel good about that."
Felicien’s season hasn’t been all smooth sailing ? she moved to Atlanta in the fall to train with coaches Loren Seagrave and Rana Reider after her longtime coach Gary Winckler retired, and it’s been a difficult adjustment.
So this victory at home has set her up nicely, she hopes, for a strong August in Europe.
"It’s a confidence boost. Whenever I come out of nationals on top, I usually go onto the circuit and it’s all gravy from there," Felicien said. "Nine national titles, I’ve won a lot, it’s kind of hard, how do you keep this thing going?
"For me, if I get to 10 that would be awesome. I might really pinch myself if I get to 10."
The race marked the 32nd head-to-head battle between the pair. Felicien, of Pickering, Ont., holds an 18-14 edge.
"You always want to go out there for a win, but it was a good competition, a good rivalry," Lopes-Schliep said, "and we’re getting more fans coming out, more support, and that’s all you can ask for."
Diane Cummins of Victoria did Felicien’s nine titles one better ? the 36-year-old raced to her 10th Canadian title in the women’s 800 metres in two minutes 2.06 seconds, and earned a spot on the team for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.
Cummins, who took last season off to have surgery on her foot, was thrilled to hear she was India-bound, saying the Games were about more than just preparation for London 2012.
"This isn’t just about the Olympics for me, this is about being proud to be Canadian, being proud to be the fastest 800-metre runner in Canada, and continuing to be proud of that until the day I decide to quit," Cummins said. "I’m not quitting yet. It would be nice to have your country behind you."
Andrew Ellerton of Sudbury, Ont., won the men’s 800 in 1:50.83.
Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, B.C., who was fourth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, won the men’s shot put by nearly three metres with a throw of 20.55.
Armstrong said the trip home in between Grand Prix meets in Europe wasn’t easy, but that it was important to be here.
"It’s important for me to come out and let the spectators watch us do what we do first-hand," Armtrong said.
Sam Effah of Calgary, who ran a speedy 10.06 in the 100 metres earlier this season ? Canada’s fourth fastest time ever ? won the event Saturday in 10.21, edging Jared Connaughton of New Haven, P.E.I. (10.28).
"Came here to win, my time wasn’t a factor," said Effah. "It all matters how you do head-to-head against your fellow competitors."
Toyin Olupona of Orillia, Ont., won her second consecutive women’s 100 in 10.46.
Malindi Elmore of Calgary won the women’s 1,500 metres while Olivier Collin of Saint-Lazare, Que., won the men’s race in 3:44.04.
Adam Kunkel’s reign as Canadian 400-metre hurdles champion came to an end.
Gabriel El Hanbli, of Repentigny, Que., surged past Kunkel over the final 40 metres to win the gold in 50.94 seconds.
Kunkel, from Paisley, Ont., finished second in 51.14, his first loss at the Canadian championships since 2002.
El Hanbli, 19, said his victory over Kunkel ? the Canadian record-holder and six-time national champion ? was unexpected.
"Adam Kunkel is my idol, he’s a very good runner. It was a surprise for me today to win," said El Hanbli.
The former elite gymnast did a series of back handsprings to play up to the crowd after receiving his medal.
Kunkel, who’s on the mend after partially tearing his Achilles tendon just prior to last year’s Canadian championships, appeared poised to capture win No. 7 before stumbling over the last hurdle.
"I’m happy to get around the track in one piece, with a decent time not far off my season best, and take home a silver after one of our talented young athletes," Kunkel said. "I stumbled pretty bad over the last hurdle, I think that’s what kissed it goodbye."
Sarah Wells, of Toronto, won the women’s 400 hurdles in 56.98.
NCAA champion Derek Drouin of Sarnia, Ont., cleared 2.24 metres to win the men’s high jump.
Tabia Charles, of Pickering, Ont., won her second gold medal of the meet, leaping 6.43 metres in the women’s long jump a day after winning the triple jump.
Sultana Frizell of Perth, Ont., won the women’s hammer throw with 71.89 metres, while Curtis Moss, of Burnaby, B.C., won the men’s javelin with a throw of 74.76.
Toronto’s Jason Wurster cleared 5.30 metres to win the men’s pole vault, while Gabrielle Duclos-Lasnier of Sherbrooke, Que., won the women’s event with 4.20.
Josh Cassidy of Oakville, Ont., collected three gold medals, winning the 800, 1,500 and 5,000 wheelchair races, while Colin Mathieson of Sherbrooke, won the 100, 200 and 400 wheelchair races.
The Canadian team ? 35 athletes plus five Paralympic athletes ? for the Commonwealth Games will be announced Monday, based on performances this week in Toronto. While Felicien, Lopes-Schliep and Armstrong say they’re undecided, Athletics Canada head coach Alex Gardiner won’t be surprised ? or disappointed ? if they don’t make the trip.
"Our bread is buttered in 2012 (London Olympics)," Gardiner said.
The world championships next summer in Daegu, South Korea, is a key event in the preparation for London, and preparing for India would cost athletes an eight-week chunk of time.
"They’ve got to set the rhythm for 2012, so they can’t be interrupted," said Gardiner.
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