2007 Canadian Fitness and Figure Nationals Review by Juan Carlos Lopez
Edmonton was again the place for Nationals, a natural rival for Calgary but mostly due to NHL Hockey rivalries. The sub-20 world championship was taking place at the same time but this reporter wasn't able to take some time off for this unfortunately.
The show was larger with 95 competitors in total which might be the largest in history but unfortunately the attendance was small. Prejudging was not sold out or even finals. The auditorium could only hold 30 percent of what the Emerald Cup brings. Promotion and booths were small and poor, perhaps lack of interest or lack of promotion. The morning show was long with many comparisons in the black piece and also the new criteria came in play. Some of the seasoned competitors would not see themselves placing high anymore.
Figure A was taken by Natalie Patterson from Alberta, she has a look that even the USA judges would like, nice shape, balance and good looks. Nicole Boyne took second with great conditioning and balance. Tracy McDonald took 3rd and she was ripped and vascular but still amazing balance. Bonnie McKechnie who came in smaller took 4th after last years class A win. Maranda Lessard with good balance as well took 5th and rounded up the top 5. Notable was Nicki Pimm who has a great future in this sport given more time and size at only 21 yrs old.
Fawnia Mondey-Dietrich captained class B taking home the 1st place. Lisa Lattery climbed up the ladder and took second. Both girls would do well at USA shows as their physiques are balanced but not overly muscular or ripped. Deanne Brown stepped up and took 3rd and also did well in masters. Leah Berti who also has competed in bodybuilding took 4th and Maria Morrone took 5th.
It the Medium-Tall or class C Macey Boudreau took the class, last year she was the runner up on this class. She came in a bit smaller and well conditioned. Melanie Cheang took 2nd and CeaAnne Kerr took 3rd. Lori Ann Redding came in 4th place but now came in very well conditioned in comparison to last year. Kumal Johal from BC did a good job and took 5th place and also placed well in masters. J-me Hannay took 15th but had a tiny waist, great shoulders and amazing conditioning. Judges might have docked her for being too muscular and conditioned. And here it shows how much they are changing their standards. Jennifer Reece placed 12th as well and also marked a strong point against more muscular competitors who normally dominated the shows.
In the tall class it was Jeni Briscoe who stepped on top of Christina Dzieduszycki. It was a close battle but in the two piece at some point Christina was in the middle for a long time and at the very end they switched Jeni in the middle of the top 5. That probably marked the win for her. Kim Tilden with a smaller frame took 3rd and Robin Spence 4th. Charlene Akhurst took 5th and stepped up in the placings from last year. Tracy Royer and Martine Thebeau are competitors that could have placed better instead of 7th and 8th. The overall was for Jeni Briscoe who totally deserved not only as a competitor but as a true professional. So judges again had it right in this regard.
Fitness A was all for Allison Black who had superb conditioning and excellent routine. Sherry Boudreau took 2nd and did real well on her routine. Jennifer Jewell stepped up for third with also a good routine. Tamara Vahn who carries more muscle took 4th and Allison Either took 5th with probably the best routine in her class and almost in the show.
Fitness B was for Mindi O'Brien's Marnie Holley who really resembles Mindi on the moves. Marnie also dominated the physique end. Chantal Dicaire got the award for best routine and had a good physique that landed her 2nd place. Kristine Lougheed with a good routine and good condition got her the 3rd spot. Renee Berard who has competed before and did a good job on the routine as well. Christa Solomon took 5th and improved her physique from last year. The moment of truth arrived and most had chose Allison Black-Stirling to take the overall given also that she was from Alberta. But Marnie Holley was declared as the overall winner, Allison is an excellent sport and was still happy with the runner up. Marnie with her amazing routine will be a strong contender as a pro fitness. I can say that she has beat 70% of pro fitness with her routine and ability if not more.
Masters was awarding one pro card and it went to CeaAnne Kerr who did well also in the open category. Deanne Brown took 2nd and Kumal Johal took 3rd. Jennifer Martyniuk took 4th with great condition. 5th was for Lauren Arnold who snuck in with a good shape and decent conditioning.
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